Executive has again let down older people following free transport delay

3.30.00pm GMT Tue 8th Jan 2008

Alliance Chief Whip Kieran McCarthy MLA

Alliance Chief Whip Kieran McCarthy MLA has hit out at the Executive for again letting older people down by delaying the introduction of free travel for people over 60. He said that the Executive is already failing older people with the long delay in introducing free personal care. Mr McCarthy was the MLA who raised the issue of free travel in an Assembly motion he proposed on 17 September 2007. Free travel was expected to be introduced in the Summer, but will not now be introduced until the end of the year at the earliest.

The Strangford MLA said: "This delay is a total disgrace. Our older people need certainly on this issue, not spin and fluff.

"We have already had the First Minister trumpeting this scheme and gaining the media plaudits for it. There can be no going back on this important initiative.

"This Executive is already failing older people with every day that passes without the introduction of free personal care. When are they going to get their act together?

"With this delay, the Regional Development Minister is placing a real question mark over free transport.

"This delay is causing confusion and it will leave older people feeling insecure on free transport.

"How many different deadlines will the Executive miss before the Chuckle Brothers wake up and sort this mess out."

ENDS