Claire Keatinge Commissioner for Older People for Northern Ireland Commissioner for Older People for Northern Ireland Safeguarding and promoting the interests of older people

Northern Ireland 2 Commissioner for Older People for Northern Ireland

 1.7 million people  people aged over 60  People pensionable age rising by 11% by 2013, and rising by 43% by 2023  Older people making significant positive contributions across all aspects family, community, faith and civic life  28% older people live below the poverty line 3 Commissioner for Older People for Northern Ireland

Commissioner for Older People for Northern Ireland Giant’s Causeway Titanic Belfast Glens of Antrim Belfast City Hall

Many years of conflict and civil unrest linked to constitutional relationships between Britain and Ireland are now essentially resolved with political differences being addressed through agreed democratic structures. 5 Commissioner for Older People for Northern Ireland

 Good Friday/Belfast Agreement 1998 paved the way for power sharing and restored devolved government through the Northern Ireland Assembly  Power sharing between Nationalist and Unionist politicians is critical to functioning of the Assembly and is delivering stable government for Northern Ireland 6 Commissioner for Older People for Northern Ireland

7 Commissioner for Older People for Northern Ireland

8 Commissioner for Older People for Northern Ireland

Strong political leadership  Recognising the contribution, needs and rights of older people led to a Northern Ireland Assembly commitment through its 2007 Programme for Government for a Commissioner, to deliver a ‘ …strong, independent voice for older people’ underpinned by UN Principles for Older Persons 9 Commissioner for Older People for Northern Ireland

10 Commissioner for Older People for Northern Ireland

Older people’s advocate appointed in 2008 to keep Ministers informed about older people's issues while legislation to establish a Commissioner was developed and consulted on. Dame Joan Harbison Older People’s Advocate 11 Commissioner for Older People for Northern Ireland

 ‘We Agree’  NGO led campaign to secure a Commissioner with ‘sufficient powers and duties to act independently to guarantee that the rights of older people are protected, their interests promoted, and the issues affecting them are given prominence’ 12 Commissioner for Older People for Northern Ireland

13 Commissioner for Older People for Northern Ireland

 70 key organisations in public, private, voluntary and community sectors responded to consultation  400 views from people at public consultation meetings  Amendments to legislation in key areas of Commissioner’s powers and duties following consultation 14 Commissioner for Older People for Northern Ireland

 Commissioner for Older People for Northern Ireland legislation passed December 2010  Legislation establishing a Commissioner received seal approval at final stage in Northern Ireland Assembly with universal support from all Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLA’s) 15 Commissioner for Older People for Northern Ireland

16 Commissioner for Older People for Northern Ireland

 Older people engaged in process of interviewing candidates for Commissioner as part of transparent public appointments process  First and Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland acting jointly appoint Commissioner Claire Keatinge who took up post November Commissioner for Older People for Northern Ireland

18 Junior Minister Jonathan Bell, Dame Joan Harbison, First Minister Peter Robinson, Commissioner for Older People for Northern Ireland Claire Keatinge, Acitng Deputy First Minister John O’Dowd, Junior Minister Martina Anderson Commissioner for Older People for Northern Ireland

Principal aim and paramount consideration ‘… to safeguard and promote the interests of older people’ 19 Commissioner for Older People for Northern Ireland

 Promoting awareness of interests of older people and need to safeguard those interests  Reviewing adequacy and effectiveness of law, practice and services relating to the interests of older people  Promote opportunities and the elimination of discrimination 20 Commissioner for Older People for Northern Ireland

 Encourage best practice  Promote positive attitudes towards older people  Advise government and relevant authorities on matters concerning interests of older people 21 Commissioner for Older People for Northern Ireland

22 Committee of the First Minister and Deputy First Mini ster Commissioner for Older People for Northern Ireland

 Carry out informal investigations to protect the interests of older people  Issue guidance on best practice in relation to any matter concerning the interest of older people  Commission and publish research  Provide advice and information 23 Commissioner for Older People for Northern Ireland

 Make representations or recommendations to any body or person concerning the interests of older people  Establish conciliation services in relation to disputes which may lead to proceedings involving law or practice 24 Commissioner for Older People for Northern Ireland

 Commissioner has additional powers of review, complaint and formal investigation to ‘relevant authorities’  Government departments, district councils and wide range organisations whose work impacts the lives of older people are identified in legislation as ‘relevant authorities’ 25 Commissioner for Older People for Northern Ireland

 Anyone who obstructs the Commissioner in formal investigation could be guilty of contempt of court  Commissioner has the same powers as the High Court to call for documents, witnesses and power to enter premises, take copies of documents, interview in private any older person who consents to be interviewed, and any person employed on the premises. 26 Commissioner for Older People for Northern Ireland

 Hope – for a long life which is longevity and be healthy and active  Confidence – rights and contribution recognised; valued and respected; safe at home and in the community; treated fairly and equally; adequate of income  Certainty – if frailty or illness develop person centred care, support and treatment available so all older people can lead dignified and fulfilled lives through to the end of life 27 Commissioner for Older People for Northern Ireland

 Older people at the heart of planning, influencing and decision making  Government, policy makers and relevant authorities engage with older people and better understand their interests, needs, rights, hopes and expectations  Older people more confident that politicians, policy makers, and wider society understand and appreciate the issues that matter to them 28 Commissioner for Older People for Northern Ireland

29 Commissioner for Older People for Northern Ireland