Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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In fulfilment of the commitment in the Programme for Government, the Government has established an independent Commission on Care for Older People. In Budget 2024 €1.243 million was allocated to the Commission, which is being supported by a secretariat from my Department.

The Commission is chaired by Professor Alan Barrett (Chief Executive Officer, Economic and Social Research Institute) and is comprised of independent experts. Collectively the members of the Commission provide expertise across the areas of geriatrics, gerontology, health economics, health policy and management, primary care, health ethics, health technologies, and ageing and disability, as well as representation of the community and voluntary sector and of older people.

The Commission is charged with examining the provision of health and social care services and supports for older people and with making recommendations to the Government for their strategic development. Subsequently a cross-departmental group will be established under the auspices of the Commission to consider whether the supports for positive ageing across the life course are fit-for-purpose and to develop a costed implementation plan for options to optimise these supports.

The work of the Commission will be advanced through three modules of work. The first two modules will each be of six months’ duration while the final module will be of 12 months’ duration. The modules will run consecutively.

In Module 1 the Commission is charged with determining the effectiveness, adequacy and efficiency of the care and supports which are currently provided within the health and social care system, including the plans for their further development, in meeting the evolving care needs of the increasing diversity of older people within the context of the ageing population. The Commission will prepare for my consideration and that of the Minister for Health a report detailing the Commission’s work in respect of Module 1 including any learnings for inclusion in Module 2.

In Module 2 the Commission will examine the broader policy options for older people’s care, as determined in Module 1, and will develop a costed and detailed implementation plan for the selected options. At the conclusion of Module 2, the Commission will prepare for my consideration and that of the Minister for Health a report detailing the challenges and opportunities identified, and presenting a framework for the overarching strategic development of health and social care services and supports for older people that advances national strategic objectives.

In Module 3 a Cross-Departmental Group will be established under the auspices of the Commission to consider whether the mainstreaming of ageing across Government and civil society is effective in supporting citizens’ healthy, positive, and autonomous ageing across the life course and to prepare for my consideration and that of the Minister for Health a costed and detailed implementation plan for the selected options to enable positive ageing in Irish society.

Engagement and collaboration with stakeholders will be a central component of the work of the Commission. To support the work of the Commission, a Reference Group of non-governmental and civil society organisations and other key stakeholders working in the area, including those with lived experience will be convened. It is envisaged that the Reference Group will engage in an advisory capacity with the Commission as well as with the cross-departmental group established under its auspices.

The Commission has held two meetings to date. The inaugural meeting of the Commission was convened on 21 March 2024 and the second meeting was held on 26 April 2024.