Established 1976
Catering for people on occupational pensions

News And Events

The 20th Annual Delegate Conference of the NFPA was held in Wynn's Hotel on the 21st of April 2005

The Conference was opened by Minister of State Sean Power T.D Minister for Services for Older People who said the cornerstone of Government policy is

To support and maintain people in their home environment

Assist those who become ill or dependent to regain their independence

Encourage and support care in the community

To provide a higher quality of of Hospital care where people can no longer be maintained be maintained in dignity and independence in their own home

In his opening address the President Mr Bill Rothwell said

"The problem of Ageism is a very live issue. Many older people and their families will have viewed with dismay the continued diminution of their rights. The nursing home issue alone has highlighted again that the elderly and particularly the frail elderly need constant protection and championship. Nearly 12% of the population should not have to require help from organisations such as ours or have the need to phone radio presenters to get their entitlements.

The phrase from the proclamation of 1916 'To cherish all of the children of the nation' . now rings hollow. However the older we get the more we seem to be ignored, to be regarded as extraneous to the body politic, to the economy and even to social life. Even in in purely economic terms it is imprudent in an expanding economy to disregard the the possibilities of employing older people.

Various international organisations as well as Irish reports have stressed the rights of the elderly and if there is one underlying theme it is that senior citizens can legitimately assert their humanity as much as any other group. This Government has tended to sidestep the introduction of rights based legislation. But rights are at the core of good social policy. Against this background, organisations such as ours, campaigning for older people, can be encouraged to voice the the needs of those we represent. The assertion of old age rights go beyond those in long term care, sheltered housing or in the need of domicilary support, to the majority of senior citizens who are well capable of leading busy independent lives."

Among the Resolutions passed at the conference committed the Federation to lobby the Government to remove the 2% Health Levy from those over 65 years, to increase the living alone alone allowance substantially, to fully cover Medical Card holders for home helps and chiropody care services, to maintain the present arrangements where pensions can be paid in cash through the Post Office and that the Tanaiste and Minister for Health and Children authorise risk equalisation in Private Health insurance.

The Federation will also make representations objecting to the proposed increase to VHI premiums