3 keatinge-ifa prague 5 2012 - copni presentation

Commissioner for Older People for Northern Ireland
www.copgni.org e-mail: info@copni.org

Claire Keatinge
Commissioner for Older People
for Northern Ireland

Safeguarding and promoting the
interests of older people

Northern Ireland

www.copgni.org e-mail: info@copni.org 2

 1.7 million people
 340 000 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


Giant’s Causeway Glens of Antrim

Belfast City Hall Titanic Belfast

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.


 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


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


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


 ‘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’


 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


 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)


 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
2011


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


Principal aim and paramount consideration ‘…
to safeguard and promote the interests of
older people’


 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


 Encourage best practice
 Promote positive attitudes towards older
people
 Advise government and relevant authorities
on matters concerning interests of older
people


Committee of the First Minister and
Deputy First Minister


 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


 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


 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’


 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.


 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


 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


3 keatinge-ifa prague 5 2012 - copni presentation

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