Time for action on free personal care for older people

3.43.22pm GMT Tue 19th Dec 2006

Alliance Health Spokesperson, Kieran McCarthy

Alliance Health Spokesperson Kieran McCarthy MLA has stated in today's Assembly debate that free personal care for older people must be provided in Northern Ireland as a matter of urgency. He also stated that older people had suffered because 1 billion pounds is wasted every year on segregation in Northern Ireland, instead of being spent on providing free personal care for them.

Kieran McCarthy MLA said: "We have seen enough reports and consultations on this subject - Its all there in print. What we need now is action. There can be no more delays.

"It is absolutely essential that free personal care is provided for older people in Northern Ireland.

"We must protect the most vulnerable people in our society, not leave them to fend for themselves.

"The last thing we want is older people selling their home to pay for something that the state should provide for them. After all, older people have paid the state through taxes all their working life.

"It is absolutely appalling that 1 billion pounds is wasted every year on keeping our society divided, and at the same time older people are denied free personal care.

"Alliance has been campaigning for years to gain free care for older people. The Scottish Parliament has achieved this goal, and now we must learn from them and give our older people the protection and assistance they deserve."

ENDS