Patricia Ryan
Question:207. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health to clarify if there has been any updating/extension to the positive aging strategy (2013-2017); and if so, to provide details of same. [28584/24]
View answerWednesday, 3 July 2024
Questions (207)
Written answers
The Government is committed to supporting positive ageing across the life course as well as to ensuring that older people can continue to live independently in their homes and communities for as long as possible. This commitment is enshrined in the National Positive Ageing Strategy, which provides a blueprint for promoting older people’s engagement in economic, social, cultural and community life and for fostering inter-generational solidarity.
Recognising the need for a whole-of-society approach to supporting positive ageing, the Strategy’s implementation is a whole-of-government endeavour. This has been advanced through a wide range of initiatives developed and delivered in partnership with the community and voluntary sector.
However, we recognise the challenges we will face in a range of areas in the coming years as our population ages. As the Deputy will be aware, in fulfilment of the commitment in the Programme for Government, the Government has established an independent Commission on Care for Older People, which is being supported by a secretariat from my Department. The Commission, which met for the first time on 21st March 2024, is chaired by Professor Alan Barrett (Chief Executive Officer, Economic and Social Research Institute) and is comprised of independent experts.
The Commission is charged with examining the provision of health and social care services and supports for older people and with making recommendations to the Government for their strategic development. Subsequently a cross-departmental group will be established under the auspices of the Commission to consider whether the supports for positive ageing across the life course are fit-for-purpose and to develop a costed implementation plan for options to optimise these supports.
Engagement and collaboration with stakeholders is a central component of the work of the Commission. To support the work of the Commission, a Reference Group of non-governmental and civil society organisations and other key stakeholders working in the area, including those with lived experience has been formed. The Reference Group will engage in an advisory capacity with the Commission and subsequently with the cross-departmental group. The inaugural meeting of the Reference Group took place on 18 June 2024.