Equality For All Ages A 'Key Issue'

Junior Ministers Jennifer McCann and Jonathan Bell have said that equality for all regardless of age is a “key issue” for the Executive.

The Junior Ministers were speaking at an Equality Commission seminar "Strengthening Protection for all Ages in Health and Social Care." In attendance at the seminar were representatives from the age sector, trade unions, the public sector and the legal profession.

Junior Minister Jennifer McCann said: "The equality agenda is about fairness. That is equal treatment and equal opportunity. We want everyone to have the opportunity to realise their full potential. One way we can do this is by ensuring that people are treated fairly regardless of their age."

The comments come following the latest census figures, which showed that the number of people aged 85 years and over has increased over the last ten years in seven Local Government Districts: Armagh, Ballymoney, Castlereagh, Cookstown, Dungannon, Limavady and Magherafelt.

The seminar was intended to create discussion and debate regarding how the age equality legislation can be strengthened in the area of health and social care.

Junior Minister Jonathan Bell said: "The Programme for Government includes a commitment to make it unlawful to discriminate on the basis of age, for the provision of goods, facilities and services. This will require primary legislation."

Public Consultation for the Age Goods, Facilities and Services legislation is scheduled to take place early in 2013. The Executive’s aim is to have legislation in place during the latter part of 2014-15.

(IT)