The Green Party today pledged to help the older members of society who have not benefited from the economic development they helped to create. Nearly half a million people in Ireland are aged 65 or older and over half of them have incomes close to the poverty threshold. In the year 2007, and as other parties promise post-election tax giveaways, the Green Party promises to focus on improving quality of life for older people, respecting their dignity and facilitating independent living.

At a press conference in Dublin Green Party Cathaoirleach and Health spokesperson John Gormley TD said: "Over ten per cent of our population is aged 65 or over. Older persons have made, and continue to make, profound contributions to our society. It is both possible and right to extend to them the services and treatment they deserve. High rates of relative poverty among older people will worsen as the population ages unless key steps are taken to address their income and housing inadequacy.

"In our health plans we propose local 24-hour primary care centres consisting of community-based multi-disciplinary health clinics, separate A&E access areas for older people; 400 acute public beds and 400 public long-stay/community nursing unit places per annum over the next five years. Additionally, and to avoid the horrors of Leas Cross and other shameful care facilities, we will establish legally enforceable care standards, in consultation with older persons and their families, and enforced by a care inspectorate.

Green Party Social and Family Affairs spokesperson Dan Boyle TD said: "Some older people find that, upon retirement, their tax situation worsens. The Green Party will ensure that his does not happen and that retirees retain a similar level of tax liability. In our manifesto we promise to deliver a basic state pension equal to 60% of average income. This will take several years to deliver, but as an immediate priority we commit to raising the pension to €334 per week.

Candidate for Wicklow Cllr Deirdre de Burca said: "Older persons make significant contributions to society: as citizens, as workers – paid and unpaid – and as family members. Yet successive Irish governments have failed to properly value this contribution. In government the Green Party would create an ombudsman for older persons and implement a national positive ageing strategy across government departments. In order to guarantee rights to independent living, we would establishment an independent housing advice service' as has existed for older people in the UK for over 20 years."