The Island's only seniors advocacy group yesterday welcomed the news of a Budget sensitive to the needs of the elderly.

The 2002-03 Budget offers seniors a three percent increase in pension benefits, a break on land tax, a new parish rest home for St. George's, increased financial assistance and hospital subsidies and a Government office dedicated specifically to their needs.

"It's great that they are putting money into seniors' issues this Budget because last year we really got nothing," said Claudette Fleming of Age Concern. She said that she had not yet looked at the Budget in detail but "from what I hear, it sounds very positive".

In his Budget statement yesterday, Finance Minister Eugene Cox said Government strove to leave no one behind.

"Those who have contributed the labour and capital to bring our economy to this juncture must also be included," Mr. Cox said.

Replacing the St. George's Parish Rest Home - which had to be closed in 2000 for health reasons - is among the most significant capital expenditures for the Island's elderly.

Government has earmarked $250,000 under capital expenditures this year for design work on the new home.

"The St. George's Parish "The St. George's Council is currently considering sites for the new facility planned to offer a range of services for senior citizens including day care," Mr. Cox said in his statement.

Under long-term capital development projections the Government estimated the rest home may cost more than $9 million accorded to the Total Authorised Figure (TAF) for rest homes in the Budget.

Yesterday, Health and Family Services Minister Nelson Bascome said the new rest home for St. George's is the second most important capital project after the new Berkeley Institute.

And he said that a large portion of the $4.2 million in additional subsidies allocated to the hospital will benefit seniors as well.

Welcome news to Age Concern, as health coverage is the "single, most important issue" for Island seniors, Mrs. Fleming said.

Age Concern would have liked to have seen a comprehensive approach to seniors' health care taken in the Budget, she added, however.

"It has got to be addressed so old people can age with dignity and know their health will be taken care of," Mrs. Fleming said.

Age Concern also praised the decision to reduce the amount of land tax paid by seniors who own and occupy residential units with an annual rental value (ARV) of over $90,000 - a move that was announced in the November Throne Speech.

While the target ARV is very high, Mrs. Fleming said the most recent study on housing of 1991 showed that seniors tend to be "property rich and cash poor".

"If that is still the case, it will be a significant benefit to seniors," she said.

Additional monies are also being dedicated to Financial Assistance, in part to cover a three percent increase in pensions, Government announced.

And Minister Bascome added that a target date of April 1 has been set to open the new Office on Aging, with $173,000 earmarked for an office, staff of three as well as $114,000 for operating costs.

Mr. Bascome said Government's plan going forward for the office is to have it address age issues long before people reach age 65.

"I'd like to see the office helping people become better prepared before they reach retirement age," said Mr. Bascome.

"We want to develop a proactive approach for people moving towards retirement age and the office will have policies for people age 60, 55, 50 and so on.

"We want people to be alerted at age 50 that they have 15 working years left and to be looking at whether they have an adequate pension plan in place," he said.

"As people approach retirement, we want them to be prepared.

Mr. Bascome characterised the Budget as an important one for seniors but one where Government is addressing the concerns of future seniors as well as today's.