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TELEVISION LICENCE FEES: REBATE FOR SENIOR CITIZENS OVER 75 (P.187/2000): REPORT _______________
Presented to the States on 21st November 2000 by the Finance and Economics Committee
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STATES OF JERSEY
STATES GREFFE
180 2 0 0 0 P . 1 8 7 R p t .
Price code: A
Report
The Finance and Economics Committee has always remained of the view that the funding required to support the provision of free television licences for the elderly would be better targeted at the poorer and more needy elderly citizens and not provided as a blanket' payment to all over-75's. Despite this, the Committee drafted a report and proposition proposing concessionary television licences for the over-75's in order to comply with the assurance given to the States by the President.
The President of the Finance and Economics Committee informed the Senior Citizens Association of the existence of its draft proposition at the Association's meeting on 28th September 2000. On their own initiative, the members of the Association in attendance decided to take a vote as to whether the funds earmarked for the provision of free television licences to the over- 75's would be better directed towards improved chiropody, dental and eye test services. A clear majority of those present at that meeting were in favour of this proposal.
Consequent discussions between the Health and Social Services, Employment and Social Security and Finance and Economics Committees have led to the agreement that these funds should be put towards improving basic health care in this way, for all our senior citizens - including those over the age of 75.
To this end, the Finance and Economics Committee agreed to reallocate the provision of £530,000 to substantially enhance the £150,000 already allocated to the 2001 Budget of the Health and Social Services Committee for this purpose. This decision has the full support of the Senior Citizens Association.
However, in the event that the proposition of Senator Stein were to be approved by the States, then this additional funding, which the three Committees have all agreed would be better directed at the poor and needy of all pensioners, will have to be used instead to provide blanket' coverage of free television licences to those aged over 75 only, regardless of need. This would deprive pensioners in need of the basic health care proposed by the three Committees, regardless of age.