NI's Older People To Gain Representation

The public are to be asked what they think about a proposal to create an Older People's Commissioner for NI.

Stormont Junior Ministers Robin Newton and Gerry Kelly this week launched a public consultation on the issue.

The news came as the Ministers hosted an event for older people to celebrate United Nations International Day of Older People.

Speaking in the Everglades Hotel, Londonderry, Minister Newton said: "The Executive's Programme for government includes a commitment to deliver a strong independent voice for older people.

"Today's consultation announcement is an important step towards delivering on this commitment.

"I would urge everyone to become involved so that we can ensure the consultation engages as broad a range of people as possible," he said.

Gerry Kelly added: "The launch of the consultation today is very appropriate as it is Older People's Day and this is Age Awareness Week with the theme this year being 'Representation'."

The Minister said that the proposed Older People's Commissioner's role would be promoting and safeguarding interests, advancing equality, challenging discrimination and empowering and enabling the voice of older people.

"We want the views of older people heard through this consultation so we can ensure the Commissioner, once in place, meets the needs of the people that he or she will represent and champion." he said.

Meanwhile, the NI Social Development Minister, Margaret Ritchie used Older People's Day to encourage older residents to check they are not missing out on social security benefits.

She said that research has shown that without social security benefits, 71% of older people in Northern Ireland would be living in poverty, but when social security payments are taken into account this reduces to 21%.

"I am committed to ensuring that older people have easy access to the support they need to enable them to live life to the full and make a meaningful contribution to society in their own individual way.

"Financial support will allow people to do this and this is why older people in Northern Ireland should make sure they are getting all they are entitled to," she said.

(BMcC/KMcA)