Urgent Need for Commissioner for Ageing & Older Persons Rights in Ireland
Addressing the pressing need for a Commissioner for Ageing and Older Persons in Ireland to advocate for the rights and welfare of the growing elderly population, combat ageism, and ensure appropriate policies and safeguards are in place. Stakeholders emphasize the importance of empowering and protecting older individuals as the demographic landscape evolves.
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The Urgent Need for a Commissioner for Ageing and Older Persons Rights Don't Get Old hosted by the National Safeguarding Office Delivered by Celine Clarke, Head of Advocacy and Communications, 15 June 2022
Age Action Ireland Age Action is the leading advocacy organisation on ageing and older people in Ireland. Age Action advocates for a society that enables all older people to participate and to live full, independent lives.
What does a Commissioner for Ageing and Older Persons do? The role can be summarised as an independent authority that: Investigates systemic issues affecting older people, including by funding research and analysis to fill gaps where there is inadequate evidence to inform public policy. Reviews the adequacy of policy, legislation and services affecting older people. Advises Government on matters concerning older people, including by reference to international best practice.
Who is a Commissioner for? There are already over one million people aged 60 or older in Ireland, representing one in four adults. The number of people aged over 65 is projected to reach 1.1 million by 2035, of whom the number aged 80 or older will double to 340,000. The number of people with dementia will more than double to 150,000 sufferers by 2045.
Why do we need a Commissioner for Ageing and Older Persons? Irish society is not planning for us to be living well in older age. A Commissioner s office would help develop national expertise and help connect ageing research and policymakers. Ageism is the most prevalent form of discrimination and the focus of the recent WHO Global Report on Ageism. Countering ageism requires an all-of-government remit. Many public and private services interact with older people but do not have adequate policies on ageing or safeguarding. The Commissioner would promote best practice on a cross-departmental basis. Older workers often face discrimination and older consumers often face digital exclusion. The Commissioner would strengthen the voices of less powerful groups of older persons. Older adults tend to be the main users of the health and social care services, including in residential settings. Ireland has documented cases of abuse in residential settings, including strong calls for investigation into how COVID-19 was handled in nursing homes.
Older people have told us. l feel that official Ireland (officials) take older people less seriously than they take younger people there's a need for more respect. Older people were frightened into staying in their homes during the first lockdown, contributing to social isolation. I seemed to lose my rights... Go to your room, keep your head down and your mouth shut. That there is a comprehensive investigation into why so many older persons died in nursing homes. Government could spearhead a campaign against Ageism. I feel it needs to be done.
What other jurisdictions have Commissioners? Northern Ireland and Wales have Commissioners, as does New South Wales in Australia. There have been proposals for a Commissioner in both Scotland and England.
What would it cost? The Commissioner for Older People in Wales serves 669,000 people aged 65+ with a budget of 1.9 million. The Commission for Older People in Northern Ireland serves 315,000 people aged 65+ with a budget of 1.1 million. Ireland s Ombudsman for Children operated with a budget of 2.9 million in 2020, which provided the necessary staff and resources to actively promote the rights of over one million children and young people. These comparisons provide a basis to be confident that a substantive and professional office of a Commissioner for Ageing and Older Persons, to serve 720,000+ people aged 65 or older, could be established on an annual budget of 2 million.
Would it be effective? All existing Commissioners in other jurisdictions have operated for several years, and have a track record of achievements for older people as well as enhancing the capabilities of public services to address ageing. Legislation for the Commissioner would ensure it is independent in its operations, and legislation can ensure it has adequate powers to conduct robust investigations and to compel remedial action where required. While welcome, Ireland s Minister of State for Older People does not have an office or staff to support her work, nor the same kind of role as a Commissioner independent of Government. A Commissioner is a missing piece of the jigsaw. Establishing a Commissioner would complement the office in Northern Ireland, as part of the institutions guaranteeing rights and equality under international obligations including the Belfast Good Friday Agreement.
