Initiatives sought by the groups which attended yesterday's forum included:
National Federation of Pensioners' Associations: less restrictive rules to apply to people over 75 than to younger pensioners; a simplification of the social welfare code; and supplementary pensions for public service pensioners denied the right to contribute towards a social welfare pension and living in hardship.
Conference of Religious of Ireland Justice Commission: an extra £10 a week in social welfare payments for single people, £17 for couples; a substantial increase in the Children's Allowance; pay the Family Income Supplement through the tax system; aim to bring everybody up to an income level equal to at least 50 per cent of average household income.
National Association of the Mentally Handicapped of Ireland: a substantial increase in respite care and residential places (it says 3,000 people are waiting for day, residential or respite services); pay the Carer's Allowance to the carers in their own right without a means test; pay the domiciliary care allowance for children with disabilities from birth rather than from two years of age; and pay the Disability Allowance to people who have been in hospital for years without an income.
Marriage and Relationship Counselling Services: fund non-denominational marriage counselling services Statewide; fund a "relationship helpline" which would provide "a skilled immediate and anonymous response to people in need of help"; and fund "relevant pre-marriage and marriage maintenance programmes aimed at minimising family breakdown."
