Oral Answers to Questions — Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister – in the Northern Ireland Assembly at 2:00 pm on 1 February 2016.
5. Ms Ruane asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister for an update on the delivery of the active ageing strategy. (AQO 9498/11-16)
The Executive's active ageing strategy was published on the Department's website on Tuesday 26 January. The purpose of the strategy is to transform attitudes to, and services for, older people. It is important that we fully acknowledge the enormous contribution that older people make to our society and that we challenge the negative stereotyping of them. The strategy will provide direction for Departments' policies; make connections between strategies; and lead to the improvement of services for older people.
In developing the strategy, we worked closely with the former Commissioner for Older People, Claire Keatinge, and the ageing strategy advisory group, which included as members older people and people working for organisations that represent older people. The strategy sets out a vision for an age-friendly region, in which people, as they get older, are valued and supported to live actively to their fullest potential, with their rights and dignity protected. The strategic aims of the strategy are based around the UN principles for older persons. There are 18 of those, which are grouped under five themes: independence; participation; care; self-fulfilment; and dignity. The strategy's vision and strategic aims will be implemented by those Departments and agencies with the resources, expertise and specific responsibilities for key programmes and services that improve the lives of older people.
Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a freagra. I thank the junior Minister for her comprehensive answer. I wonder whether she will outline the next steps in the active ageing strategy, especially given the number of older people in our society.
The next steps will be to monitor progress against the outcomes set out in the strategy, and we will consult on the draft indicators as well. Junior Minister Pengelly and I were at an event earlier today, called Dignity Action Day, which was organised by the National Pensioners Convention. Basically, we signed up to what was called a "dignity charter", if you like. At that event, it was very clear that people's dignity and rights need to be respected throughout their life. Just because someone gets older does not mean that they have any less of a contribution to make to society. When we were looking at the strategy, we were saying that it was a very live strategy. It is not just about the strategy; it is about how the strategy and those services are rolled out, and how those rights are protected and that respect is given to older people. Certainly, that is the way that we will be monitoring and progressing it.
Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Mo bhuíochas leis an Aire as an fhreagra. The active ageing strategy, in common with a number of other strategies included within the role of OFMDFM, will be transferred to the Department for Communities in the next mandate. Will the Minister outline what level of communication and discussion has taken place to ensure that that transition is as smooth as possible?
Obviously, there has been some discussion at Executive level on where different areas of policy responsibility should sit. The Member will be aware that, over the next period, we will have time in the Assembly to discuss the different functions that go into the different Departments. We have tried to keep that fit as well as it can be kept. The important thing for a strategy such as the active ageing strategy is that it is an Executive strategy, not an OFMDFM one. It is a strategy for which all Departments are accountable. They fulfil their responsibilities when they are caring for older people in society. That is done right across the board, in services or whatever. It is an Executive responsibility, as opposed to an OFMDFM one.