Eddie Lynch, The Commissioner for Older People for Northern Ireland, comments on the £100 payment from Department for Communities to the elderly
Following the announcement from the Department of Communities that they would support older people with a £100 one- off grant following the cuts to Winter Fuel Payments faced by many elderly people, The Older Peoples Commissioned Eddie Lynch has commented.
He said: “I welcome Minister Lyons and The Department for Communities’ decision to provide a £100 payment to older people this winter.
“This initiative is a positive step in recognising the financial pressures many pensioners face, particularly amid high living costs.
“This support will provide some relief to many older people who are struggling with the cost of living and home heating pressures this winter.
“While the payment is welcomed and helpful in the short-term, it falls short of the support that has been lost in the reduction of the Winter Fuel Payment.
“The one-off £100 payment should not be seen as a replacement for the broader and more substantial financial support that older people relied on in the past.
“The removal of this support leaves a significant gap, especially for those older people who are on fixed incomes.”
“We must continue to advocate for policies to ensure older people are fully supported, and it is crucial we continue to focus on long-term measures to address the root causes of financial insecurity for older people.”
