Mr. Odhrán Allen:

In the most recent census 2% of those aged 55 years and over stated they had no religion, while 98% stated they did. Of those who took part in the visible lives study, 50% stated they had no religion. This was very much linked with their negative experience of formal religion in Ireland. The religious ethos of nursing homes and end-of-life services was specifically identified as the major reason for people being afraid of being placed in nursing homes or availing of health services. The people in question were concerned that religious ethos would impact on good practice, that there would be an underlying lack of acceptance or respect for them or their relationships and that there would be a lack of involvement on the part of their partners. Religion definitely arose as an issue for older LGBT people.