Good news for Cork older people in Budget 2010 - O’Keeffe

It was important to protect older people in Budget 2010 according to Cork East TD Ned O’Keeffe. Pointing to the fact that pensions went unchanged in the Budget and that the thresholds for medical cards were maintained at current levels, Deputy O’Keeffe said that this is positive news for the pensioners of Cork.

“While this obviously was a very difficult Budget for everyone, I think it was important that we did something to protect older people as much as possible,” said Deputy O’Keeffe. “That was why I was encouraged to see Minister Lenihan leave the pension untouched in the Budget at its current level and that it did not suffer any cut.”

“It was also important that the thresholds for qualifying for the medical card were maintained. I would not have liked if those thresholds had been changed at this point. The older people of Cork rightly place a high value on their medical cards and I think their importance has been recognised in this Budget.”

“The free travel for pensioners has also been maintained despite calls in some quarters to curtail it. This measure which was introduced by Fianna Fáil in Government has had a significant impact on the lives of thousands of people over the years and I’m delighted that this will continue for next year.”

“The older people of Cork have made a huge contribution to the development of the county. They have made many sacrifices over the years to put us in the position we are in now. It is only right that we recognise this contribution and they should not be subjected to the same burden as some others in the Budget.”

“I hope that this Budget will be a source of some comfort for the older people of Cork. We have pressed Minister Lenihan hard to ensure that they were protected given their contribution over the years and in particular that the pension was not reduced. Minister Lenihan has clearly paid attention and I hope this provides some good news for the pensioners of Cork,” Deputy O’Keeffe concluded.