Northern Ireland

Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey says promoting the wellbeing of older people remains a `priority'

Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey has said promoting the wellbeing of older people and ensuring they can enjoy life to the fullest remains a "priority" for her department
Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey has said promoting the wellbeing of older people and ensuring they can enjoy life to the fullest remains a "priority" for her department Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey has said promoting the wellbeing of older people and ensuring they can enjoy life to the fullest remains a "priority" for her department

COMMUNITIES Minister Deirdre Hargey has said promoting the wellbeing of older people and ensuring they can enjoy life to the fullest remains a "priority" for her department.

Speaking on the 31st UN International Day of Older Persons yesterday, Ms Hargey said her department is working to "create an age friendly community in which people, as they grow older, are valued and supported to live actively to their fullest potential, with their rights respected and with dignity protected".

"People here are living longer than ever and our older citizens make a significant contribution to society, whether that be volunteering, continuing to work or providing childcare.

"They have also shown fortitude and determination in overcoming the challenges presented by the Covid-19 pandemic."

The Minister said the work of her department included "appropriate housing to meet the needs of our ageing population, financial support to pay heating fuel expenses over the colder months and access to advice service to ensure individuals are receiving the support they are entitled to".

Linda Robinson, Chief Executive of Age NI said: "We welcome the commitment by the Minister to ensure older people live well and enjoy later life.

"With a larger proportion of older people in our society than ever before, the time is right to ensure Northern Ireland has fully age-inclusive services right across the board," she said.