Wednesday 27 May 2009

Age Sector Platform, a prominent campaigning and lobbying force for older people, has celebrated news that a strategy specifically for the safety of older people has been promised by NIO Minister Paul Goggins, following recent campaigning by the organisation.

The announcement, which was made to a room packed full of older people at Age Sector Platform’s AGM today, was received with great enthusiasm, following six years of consultation with older people on the issue and several months of intense lobbying for a tailored strategy.

ASP Community Safety spokesperson, Michael Monaghan, addressed the crowd of older people saying: “Age Sector Platform has always supported the older person’s right to live free from fear of crime within their home and community.  Crime against older people is one of the great scourges in our society and the fear that this breeds has a serious impact on the lives of older people in Northern Ireland.  That is why we have campaigned for a tailored strategy for older people for such a long time.”

Mr Monaghan continued: “Following a very positive meeting with Minister Paul Goggins last week, I am pleased to announce that he; on behalf of the Northern Ireland Office, has agreed to deliver a strategy for the safety of older people by Autumn 2009.” 

“This is very welcome news and we are glad that government has listened to the voice of older people on this issue.  However, the real work begins now to make sure that this strategy is effective in tackling the concerns of older people.  It is important that this strategy is not only produced for older people, but that older people are actively involved in its design, implementation and have a role in monitoring its progress.”

“Therefore, we welcome the commitment from the Minister that older people will form part of a steering group to develop the strategy.  This will allow older people to shape what should be contained in the strategy, so that it will make a real difference in tackling crime and the fear of crime amongst older people.”

“Community Safety has been a priority campaign for us, and at last older people will get the focus they deserve on this serious matter.  Age Sector Platform would like to thank the Northern Ireland Office, Minister Goggins and the Office of the First and deputy First Minister for their assistance and support in making this happen.  Now we, as older people, must ensure that this strategy meets our needs.”