Thursday 17 November 2011

Age Sector Platform has praised the Northern Ireland Executive for its positive response to some of the key issues arising from the NI Pensioners Parliament this year, in its Programme for Government.  The Pensioners Parliament, which took place earlier this year, identified the main concerns of the older population in Northern Ireland through a bottom-up democratic process; and the charity has welcomed the Executive’s commitment to address some of its major recommendations.

The Programme for Government which was announced today has committed to extend age discrimination legislation to the provision the opportunities, goods and services and has also pledged to tackle crime against older people and to reduce fear of crime amongst older people.

Patricia Donald, Chair of Age Sector Platform, said: “Age discrimination and crimes against older people were discussed prominently during the NI Pensioners Parliament held earlier this year.  They are issues which older people have told us are important to them and require strong action.  We are pleased that the NI Executive has taken onboard the voices of older people here.”

“In reality, age discrimination in the areas of goods, facilities and services allows for discrimination in the provision of services such as health care and social services to older people.  It can also allow insurance providers to discriminate against older drivers and travellers.  Legislation to outlaw this type of discrimination can only be a positive thing for the older people of Northern Ireland, who have long awaited this legislation.”

“Crime against older people is an issue which has taken centre stage recently with a number of widely condemned attacks against older people being reported.  Age Sector Platform welcomes the NI Executive’s commitment to tackle these types of crimes.  We know from our survey of over 1,200 older people earlier this year that two out of three older people are fearful of being a victim of crime.  Taking this into account, we are pleased that the Programme for Government has also committed to addressing fear of crime amongst older people in the coming years.”

“The Programme for Government states an intention to use the Social Protection Fund to help individuals and families facing hardship due to the current economic downturn.  Older people struggling to survive the winter must surely fall within this group, and it is paramount that Stormont acts now to help.”

“Our intention has always been for the Northern Ireland Pensioners Parliament to deliver real change for the older people of Northern Ireland, and these commitments within the Programme for Government mark the beginning of the work needed to bring about that change.  It is now our job to ensure that these promises are kept.  We will continue to work with the Assembly in the years to come to ensure the quality of life for older people here continues to improve.”

Click HERE to view the Programme for Government consultation document.