Elderly using travel pass to keep warm – Crowe

Dublin South West representative Seán Crowe TD said that he is appalled at the increase in reports that elderly citizens are being forced to take day-long train journeysbecause they cannot afford to heat their homes during the day.

Crowe said that the visibility of elderly in Shopping Centres was also another indicator.

Both Active Retirement and Age Action Ireland have confirmed that elderly people have been reduced to using their free travel passes to take day-long train journeys so they can afford to pay their heating and electricity bills at the end of the month.

Deputy Seán Crowe: “This is appalling news and confirms many of the worst concerns of advocacy groups who claimed that  Budget 2014 disproportionally targeted the elderly.

“The Government claims that the budget was softer than expected and didn’t contain as much pain as in previous years.

“Maybe they should try explain that to the poor unfortunate pensioners being forced to travel all over the country on train journeys or sit in shopping centres because they cannot afford to heat their own homes.

“The last two budgets have had a devastating effect on our elderly. The slashing of the Fuel Allowance from 32 to 26 weeks as well as the introduction of the Carbon Tax has presented many older people with the unenviable choice,  between eating and heating their home.

“As we approach the winter months an awful lot of households will have to make difficult decisions whether to prioritise heat or other basic necessities.

“We know that fuel poverty impacts disproportionately against the elderly, the sick and those with disabilities as they are more likely to house bound and more susceptible to the cold”