The United Bermuda Party could have done more for senior citizens while it was in government, Opposition MP Michael Dunkley admitted on Monday.

But he said the present Government was not doing enough for them either.

According to the 2000 Census report, there are more than 6,000 people over the age of 65 living in Bermuda.

"Despite the many promises, their lives are no better than in November, 1998. I want the Minister to clarify this," Mr. Dunkley said.

While he said the Health Minister claimed seniors would receive free eyeglasses and prescriptions, Mr. Dunkley said he knew nothing about the service and neither did the seniors who had queried him about it.

"Seniors are living longer," he said. "What sense does it make to live longer if we are not going to be comfortable? If we do not have the adequate coverage to pay for medical procedures?

"What sense does it make for them to live longer if they have to scratch together resources to help them live better?"

Mr. Dunkley said in another five years, the number of seniors on the Island would double.

"That makes it incumbent that we deal with seniors' issues," he said.

And he called the pension which Bermudians receive (a maximum of around $875 a month) a "pittance" in comparison with that in America and Canada where he said seniors received US $1,600 and Can $2,000 respectively.

"This is absolutely shocking. Bermuda is one of the richest countries in the world but we are not taking care of our seniors," he said.

Mr. Dunkley also raised the issue of age discrimination on the Island.

"As we are living longer, shouldn't our seniors be able to give to society?

"You have to ask questions why the PLP did not make amendments to the Human Rights Act? We will certainly address it after the next election."