Sinn Féin launches Charter for Senior Citizens

Sinn Féin today launches the party's Charter for Senior Citizens at the party's Sevastopol Street Offices on the Falls Road, Belfast.

Sinn Féin Foyle candidate Mary Nelis explained that "in putting forward our Charter for Senior Citizens, Sinn Féin pledges that we will support and actively pursue the political and legislative changes necessary to establish a decent standard of living, full access to services and the right of senior citizens to fully participate in the life of their community.

"After a lifetime contribution to our society through their taxes, rates, national insurance contributions and to their communities we must ask if the standard of living provided for our senior citizens meets their needs and reflects these contributions. Society must question how governments, who have benefited from these contributions, have repaid them."

The Sinn Féin Charter's recommendation include:

· A Commissioner for Senior Citizens

· A Fundamental review of the standard of living of senior citizens, including pension provision, cost of living, fuel poverty and disposable income

· Year on year targets to eliminate unnecessary deaths from cold

· Introduction of free personal care and an adequate level of nursing care in residential accommodation

· Fair access to health care for senior citizens based on clinical need

· Free telephone line rental, free TV licences and examination of potential of free Internet access

· Free public transport across the island of Ireland.