People over the age of 60 in Northern Ireland will contribute almost £25bn to the economy over the next 50 years through volunteering, caring, childcare, replacement parenting and working, according to a new report.

The report, entitled Appreciating Age, by the Commissioner for Older People, Claire Keatinge, attaches an economic value to contributions made by older people to highlight the positive roles they play across Northern Ireland. The report also considers the cost of older age-related spending, and subtracts these costs from the total contributions so as to give a true reflection of the net economic value older people bring to society.

The Commissioner said: "Northern Ireland is a better and richer place because more of us our living longer and healthier lives than ever before.

"Older people work, volunteer, provide care and participate widely in community and family life, contributing significant social and economic value to life in Northern Ireland. These contributions often go overlooked, and too often we hear negative voices saying that older people are a burden on public expenditure.

"Appreciating Age challenges the negative perception that older people are a drain on the public purse as it clearly shows that the over 60s put much more into society, both in economic and social terms, than they take out, to the tune of almost £25 billion."

(CD/JP)