Thursday 12 March 2009

A prominent campaigning and lobbying force for older people has welcomed CAP research launched today, which recommends the introduction of age discrimination legislation in Northern Ireland, as further proof of the need for protection for older people in the provision of goods, facilities and services.

Age Sector Platform, which represents over 200,000 older people from across Northern Ireland, believes this legislation is needed to help older people overcome many problems they face in everyday life.

Bill Carson, Chair of Age Sector Platform, commented: “Our members have stated loud and clear that continuing age discrimination in 2009 is unacceptable.  They have outlined the barriers they face in trying to get affordable car or travel insurance or access to health and social care that meets their needs.  I would like to thank the Changing Ageing Partnership (CAP) and researchers Professor Brice Dickson and Ms Lisa Glennon from Queen’s University, on behalf of all the older people we represent for their work on this important issue; and welcome the fact that this research supports the call for action to end age discrimination.”

Mr Carson continued: “Although Age Sector Platform hopes to see age discrimination outlawed as an immediate action; positive discrimination, such as the provision of concessionary fares for older people when travelling, must be treated with great care under new age discrimination legislation.  It is encouraging that this research report supports the need for positive discrimination in certain such instances.”

“This research highlights the fact that Northern Ireland is out of line with many other countries in not having a law which protects older people against discrimination.  This situation is a shameful one to be in.  We urge the Northern Ireland Assembly to consider the research findings and to establish such legislation in Northern Ireland as an immediate action.  Older people can no longer be treated like second class citizens.”