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

Claire Keatinge Commissioner for Older

People for Northern Ireland

Commissioner for Older People for Northern Ireland

Safeguarding and promoting the interests of older people

www.copgni.org e-mail: [email protected]

Northern Ireland

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Commissioner for Older People for Northern Irelandwww.copgni.org e-mail: [email protected]

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

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Commissioner for Older People for Northern Irelandwww.copgni.org e-mail: [email protected] 4

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.

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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

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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

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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

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‘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’

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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

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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)

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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

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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’

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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

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Encourage best practice Promote positive attitudes towards older

people Advise government and relevant authorities

on matters concerning interests of older people

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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

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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

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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’

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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.

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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

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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

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Documents

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