Mae Sexton (Longford-Roscommon, Progressive Democrats)

It is as wrong to be blind to the progress we have made in health as it is to be dismissive of plans to make the improvements which remain to be made. There are more than 400,000 people over the age of 65. By 2030, this figure will exceed 800,000. By 2050, it will be 1.1 million, representing an increase of from 11% to 24% of the population. This is neither a problem nor a threat; it is positive. The first message we must get across is that the vast majority of older people of all ages are healthy. They are neither sick nor a burden.

Unfortunately, the motion suggests otherwise. It contains no reference to how positive it is that people are living longer. Instead, after a brief opening reference to the older population, the motion refers to people in long-stay beds, nursing homes and maximum dependency care. The approach I favour to today's issues and tomorrow's challenges is positive and I invite the Opposition to adopt it.

During the tremendously enlightening debate among participating audience members at our conference of the many organisations representing older people, it was stated that we must move public debate about older people away from the exclusive focus on problems. I could not agree more. Policy for older people cannot be confined to dependency, institutional care and resource pressures. No one in this House has a monopoly on care, social justice or commitment to the community.

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