Madam, – Dr Margaret Kennedy’s letter (June 2nd) triggered a number of emotions. Firstly sadness and shame that such a letter needed to be written in modern Ireland, and secondly, intense anger that some of those primarily responsible for our current predicament continue to strut the stage and, in some instances, lecture on the economy.
Dr Kennedy’s cri de coeur on behalf of the disabled needs no additional comment from me.
The elderly have likewise been disproportionately targeted. Consider frozen pensions; loss of Christmas bonus; loss of medical card dental treatment; universal social charge on occupational pensions; proposed new tax on pension funds, plus confusing statements about water tax and property tax. One of the latter we’re told may be a flat tax which will hurt those on low fixed incomes worst of all.
Apart from the well-heeled minority, the elderly fear hospitalisation with its waiting lists, trolley beds, etc, and, if they can somehow arrange it, they pay the exorbitant and ever-increasing subscription for private health care. The so-called golden years become a battle for survival.
To add to the pain, scarcely a day passes but we hear about those in the golden circle who retire with Lotto-sized handshakes and obscene pensions. The previous government did nothing to tackle this inexcusable imbalance and so far there is no sign that the new lot has the stomach for the fight.
What a miserable, insensitive third-rate State we have become. I am in my 80s now and too old and undistinguished to mount a white charger on behalf of the disabled and the elderly, but if someone with the energy and presence will do so I shall rally to the cause, as will thousands of others.
The tomorrows of the disabled and the elderly are today. – Yours, etc,