SenatorCÁIT KEANE

Seanad Éireann, Kildare Street, Dublin 2.

cait.keane@oir.ie01-6183179

i.e. after the deduction of tax and PRSI; of reasonable expenses on rent or mortgage; on travel to work; on childcare and of regular weekly out of pocket medical expenses. Savings are valued in the same way as for non-contributory OAP. The cards will be granted if your remaining income after these deductions does not exceed the following guidelines for 2014:

MEDICAL CARD GP ONLY

Under 66 66+ Under 66 66+

Single living alone €184.00 €201.50 €276.00 €302.00

Single living with family €164.00 €173.50 €246.00 €260.00

Married couple single parent

€266.50 €298.00 €400.00 €447.00

PERSONS AGED 70+Persons aged 70+ qualify for a Medical Card if your gross weekly income is less than €500 per week (single), or €900 (couple). If you exceed this, a GP only card will be granted up to €700 (s) €1,400 (c).

• Once either spouse qualifies at 70, both get cover.• A surviving partner aged over 70 will be allowed to keep their medical card for

three years.A €2.50 charge per prescription item applies to medical holder (Max €25 per month per family). You can apply online for a medical card on www.medicalcard.ie or by calling into your local health centre.

COMMUNITY CARE SERVICES AND HOME CARE SUPPORTSThe HSE is responsible for the provision of community care services. These services can be broadly defined as services designed to enable people to remain living in their communities, especially when they have difficulties doing so because of illness, disability or age. Such services include – Home Help, OT, Meals on Wheels, Chiropody Services, and Day Centres. To apply for Community Care Services you should contact your Local Health Centre.

NURSING HOME SUPPORTUnder the “Fair Deal” scheme patients seeking a place in either a Private or a Public Nursing Home now have the same assessment of need and the same means-test for payment. The patient will be liable to pay towards the cost of care:

• 80% of assessable income (i.e.after deduction of tax, PRSI, mortgage/rent and out-of-pocket medical expenses)

• Plus 7.5% of the value of any assets in excess of a disregard of €36,000.A spouse is assessed with half of the couple’s joint income and assets. The HSE can assess assets transferred in the past 5 years. The balance of the cost will be met by the State. If the assets are in property, the contribution can be deferred until settlement of the person’s estate, but the money owing will be increased by the Consumer Price Index each year. In the case of the family home only, the deferred contribution will be capped capped at 25% (i.e. after three years of care). The deferred charge against the home will not be collected during the lifetime of a surviving spouse or a disabled child. This deferral must be separately requested by the patient, or by a care representative approved by the Circuit Court for a patient who is not capable of making the decision themselves.

OTHER SCHEMES AND SERVICESDRIVING LICENCESThe period of time a license is issued depends on the age of the applicant. If you are:

• Aged between 60 and 67 you may no longer apply for a ten year. Instead, you may apply for a driving license that expires at age 70 or for a three year license.

• Aged 67 or over. You may only apply for a three year licence.• Aged 70 or over. You may apply for a one year or three year license. You must

also provide a certification of fitness to drive from your doctor.At present, a one year license costs €25, a three year licence costs €35 and ten year license costs €55. If you are aged 70 or over, you do not have to pay for your driving licence.

DISABLED PERSON’S PARKING CARDThe Disabled Person’s Parking Card is for people with severe mobility difficulties, whether they are drivers or passengers. It costs €35, is valid for two years and it applies to the person rather than the car.People who have the Disabled Parson’s Parking Card displayed on their windscreen may park in assigned disabled person’s parking spaces.The Parking Card Scheme is administered by the Disabled Drivers Association (094) 936 4054 and the Irish Wheelchair Association 045 893 094.

CENTENARIAN BOUNTYThe Centenarian Bounty is paid to all Irish Citizens who have reached the age of 100. To apply you can write to Centenarian Bounty, Aras an Uachtaráin, Phoenix Park, Dublin 8.

VOTINGIf you have a physical disability that makes it difficult for you to exercise your right to vote you can apply for inclusion on the postal register by 25th November each year. Further information is available from the Department of the Environment on 1890 202 021 or South Dublin County Council 01-4149000.

HEALTH CENTRES IN DUBLIN SOUTH WEST Brookfield Health Centre, Rossfield Avenue,Tallaght, Dublin 24. Tel: (01) 462 4299 Killinarden Health Centre, Killinarden, Tallaght, Dublin 24. Tel: (01) 462 6260 Mary Mercer Centre, Jobstown, Dublin 24. Tel: (01) 458 5700 Millbrook Lawns Health Centre, Tallaght, Dublin 24. Tel: (01) 427 5000 Rathfarnham Health Centre, Grange Road, Rathfarnham, Dublin 14. Tel: (01) 493 3431 Old County Road Health Centre, Old County Road, Crumlin, Dublin 12. Tel: (01) 415 4700

MINISTER BRIAN HAYES TD Tel: 01-6183567 · Email: brian.hayes@oir.ie

SENATOR CÁIT KEANE Tel: 01-6183179 · Email: cait.keane@oir.ie

GAY MITCHELL MEP Tel: 01 496 1940 Email: gay.mitchell@europarl.europa.eu

CLLR COLM BROPHY Tel: 0862509223 · Email: cbrophy@sdublincoco.ie

SIOBHAN BUTLER Tel: 087-6270941 · Email: siobhanbutler2014@gmail.com

YOUR LOCALFINE GAEL TEAM

A GUIDE TO ENTITLEMENTS FOR OLDER PEOPLE

Dear Resident,

I have put together this guide to entitlements for Older People, which I hope you might find useful for yourself, a family member or a neighbour.

If you require further information in relation to the enclosed or indeed any other matters please do not hesitate to contact me.

CLLR BRIANLAWLORCounty Hall, Tallaght, Dublin 24 Tel: 087 644 5472Email: brianlawlor@ymail.com

edition

2014

OlderPeopleLeaflet_2014Edition_BrianLawlor.indd 1 28/01/2014 13:05

PENSIONSThere are two age related pensions payable by the Department of Social Protection.

CONTRIBUTORY PENSIONThe Contributory Pension is paid to people from the age of 66 who have enough social insurance contributions. (PRSI) It is not means tested and you are allowed to have income from any other source while you receive this pension, but both the income and the pension are taxable.

There is a number of pro-rata Contributory Pensions that are paid at a lower rate. These were introduced to deal with issues that arose as a result of people paying different types of social insurance contributions or not paying contributions for various reasons. Under the National Pensions Framework a number of other changes are planned to the qualifying conditions for the Contributory Pension from 2020.

CONTRIBUTORY PENSION RATES

YEARLY AVERAGE PRSI

CONTRIBUTIONS

PERSONAL RATE PER WEEK, €

INCREASE FOR A QUALIFIED ADULT*

(UNDER 66), €

INCREASE FOR A QUALIFIED ADULT*

(OVER 66), €

48 or over €230.30 €153.50 €206.30

40-47 €225.80 €146.00 €196.00

30-39 €207.00 €139.00 €186.00

20-29 €196.00 €130.00 €175.00

15-19 €150.00 €100.00 €134.00

10-14 €92.00 €61.00 €83.00

*Increases for qualified adults are means tested payments.

NON-CONTRIBUTORY PENSIONThe Non Contributory Pension may be paid from age 66 to people in Ireland who do not qualify for a contributory pension. You must satisfy both a habitual residence test and a means test to qualify.

NON-CONTRIBUTORY PENSION RATES

MAXIMUM PAYMENT PER WEEK

Personal rate, aged 66, under 80 €219.00

Personal rate, aged 80+ €229.00

Increase for qualified adult €144.70

Increase for qualified child €29.80

CARER’S ALLOWANCECarer’s Allowance is a payment to people on low incomes who are looking after a person who needs support because of age, physical/learning disability or illness. Application forms are available form your local Social Protection Office or by calling 1890 92 77 70.

PAYMENT CARING FOR 1 PERSON, €

CARING FOR 2 OR MORE, €

Carer’s Allowance aged under 66 €204.00 €306.00

Carer’s Allowance aged 66 or over €239.00 €358.50

OTHER SOCIAL WELFARE PAYMENTSApply to the Department of Social Protection for these payments.

LIVING ALONE ALLOWANCE The Living Alone Allowance is a supplementary payment for people in Ireland on Irish social welfare pensions who are living alone. It is also available to people under the age of 66 who get certain other payments from the Department of Social Protection. The current rate is €7.70 per week.

AGED 80 INCREASEIf you are getting an Irish social welfare pension, you automatically get an increase in your pension when you reach 80 years of age. The current rate is €10.00 per week.

HOUSEHOLD BENEFITS PACKAGEThe Household Benefits Package includes the Electricity or Natural Gas Allowance, Free TV Licence and Telephone Allowance. You may qualify for the Household Benefits Package if you are aged 70 or over. If you are aged between 66 and 70 and live alone you may qualify if you pass a means test. Application forms for the Household Benefits Package are available from the Post Office or calling 1890 500 000.

HOUSEHOLD BENEFIT PACKAGE RATES IN 2014

ALLOWANCE

Electricity Allowance €35 monthly

Cash Electricity Allowance €35 monthly

Natural Gas Allowance €35 monthly

Cash Gas Allowance €35 monthly

Television Licence

Once you qualify for the Household Benefits Package, you become eligible for a Free Television Licence from the next renewal date of your television licence.

FREE TRAVELIf you are over the age of 66 or getting a carers’ or certain other social welfare payments, you may qualify for a Free Travel Pass, entitling you to free travel at any time on bus, road, rail and DART services operated by Bus Átha Cliath, Bus Éireann, Iarnród Éireann, and Luas Services. People who are entitled to free travel are also entitled to have their spouse/partner travel free with them. The Free Travel Scheme can also be used in Northern Ireland for people over 66 years of age. To use this service you must have a Senior SmartPass Card. To obtain a Senior SmartPass card you must fill in an application form (FTNI1) which is only available from your local Social Protection office.

NATIONAL FUEL SCHEMEThe National Fuel Scheme is intended to help households that depend on long term social welfare payments and are unable to pay for their heating needs. The scheme operates for 26 weeks from mid October to mid April. The allowance is usually included in your normal weekly payment. The National Fuel Scheme is means tested. You can apply for the scheme via your local Social Protection Office.

HOUSINGHOUSING AID FOR OLDER PEOPLE SCHEMEThe scheme is available to assist older people (over 66 years of age) living in poor housing conditions to have necessary repairs or improvements carried out such as re-wiring or re-roofing works. The availability and level of the grant is determined by a means test and the applicant must be compliant with the Local Property Tax. The maximum grant available is €8,000. A successful applicant will receive 95% of the approved cost of proposed works if their income is less than €30,000 per year. If your income is up to €60,000 per year, you will get 30% of the cost. To apply for this grant contact the Housing Department in South Dublin County Council 01-4149000.

HOUSING ADAPTATION GRANT FOR PEOPLE WITH A DISABILITY The Housing Adaptation Grants Scheme for disabled people is available to assist in the carrying out of works that are necessary for the purposes of rendering a house more suitable for the accommodation of a disabled person who is a member of the household. An Occupational Therapist’s report is required outlining recommendations of proposed works. The availability and level of the grant is determined by a means test. Grant allocation is calculated on approved net cost of proposed works. The maximum grant available is €30,000. A successful applicant will receive 95% of the approved cost of proposed works if their income is less than €30,000 per year. If your income is up to €60,000 per year, you will get 30% of the cost. To apply for this grant contact the Housing Department in South Dublin County Council 01-4149000.

MOBILITY AIDS GRANTS SCHEMEThe Mobility Aids Housing Grant Scheme is available to fast track grant aid to cover a basic suite of works to address mobility problems, primarily, but not exclusively, associated with ageing. This Scheme is also for the disabled person who is a member of the household. An Occupational Therapist’s report is required outlining recommendation of proposed works. The availability and level of the grant is determined by a means test and the applicant must be compliant with the Local Property Tax. The maximum grant available is €6,000 or 100% of the approved net cost of proposed works. Gross income of homeowner(s) must not exceed €30,000. To apply for this grant contact the Housing Department in South Dublin County Council 01-4149000.

BETTER ENERGY WARMER HOMES SCHEMEThe Better Energy Homes Scheme provides grants for insulations of attics (€200), cavity wall (250), internal wall €1,800 (detached), €1,350 (semi or end of terrace), €900 (apartment or mid terrace), external wall €3,600 (detached),€2,700 (semi or end of terrace), €1,800 (apartment or mid terrace), heater control with boiler upgrade €560, heating controls upgrade only €400, solar heating €800. Further information is available by calling 1850 927 000.

SAFER HOMESAge Action Ireland has a team of volunteers to do odd jobs for older people. They also have a list of honest and trustworthy tradesmen. Further information is available by contacting 1890 369 369.

MEDICAL CARDSA Medical Card entitles you to all health services free. A GP visit Card covers the cost of visits to the doctor for your family. The means test for these cards is based on net income

OlderPeopleLeaflet_2014Edition_BrianLawlor.indd 2 28/01/2014 13:05