Tony Kett (Fianna Fail)

I welcome the Minister of State to the House and am glad to have the opportunity to say a few words on this very important subject. It will occupy debating time in both Houses of the Oireachtas more and more as time goes on.

Research from the Central Statistics Office shows that older people experience discrimination in Ireland. The most common form of such discrimination is ageism. The CSO points out that the situation is not peculiar to Ireland, but is to be found right across Europe. The European Network of Older Volunteers points to a range of areas where discrimination is prevalent. It has highlighted in particular the problems of accessing education, the health services and financial services. This week, as the Minister of State has said, we see the launch of the second annual Say No To Ageism campaign, which is being promoted jointly by the Equality Authority, the HSE and the National Council on Ageing and Older People. The latter is an organisation, which along with many others, is doing fine work on the whole area of ageism.

The first national equality survey in this area that I am aware of, tells us that more than 10% of adults experience discrimination at work and in accessing services. Common in such discrimination is ageism. Ageism is now challenging racism and sexism as one of the main offenders in this whole area. The findings will probably come as no surprise to the Equality Authority. It has become more and more common for it to be dealing with ageism complaints. In 2003 something in the region of 9% of complaints to the authority were on the grounds of ageism. We are doing a certain amount in this regard, but as the population grows older it will become a bigger issue. At present some 450,000 people are over 65 years of age. Out of every 100 people over 65, 30 have some form of disability. Organisations that work with older people should consider teaming up with those bodies which have now become a real focus in society and are major advocates for people with disabilities. Such bodies are well informed and because the two areas can overlap, both groups should form an alliance which could be a major tool for exploring and advancing common opportunities.

One in three persons over 65 suffers disability of one type or other and two-thirds of people over 85 have disabilities. Older people are experiencing many of the difficulties that younger people with disabilities suffer. They experience problems moving around their own homes, to start with, and in accessing shops, restaurants or pubs — if they so desire, turning on the television, listening to the radio etc. Traditionally, many of those difficulties have been viewed by society as greater dependency. Disabled people will argue, however, that far from being dependent on society, many of the issues involved are caused by environmental barriers. Older people come into this category. If we were to ensure that the barriers which prevent older people and those with disabilities from doing what they should be able to do were removed, there would be a major saving, apart from anything else. One could look at the whole area of assistive technologies. Assistive technologies are used for people with disabilities and could also be used for those who find it difficult to do various tasks as they get older. Technologies now exist which allow disabled people to live independently in their homes, when heretofore this could never have been considered. This could also allow older people to live independently, doing things with the aid of technologies which they would not otherwise have been able to do. While I do not wish to reduce this issue to one of money, in many ways it is a cheap option for people to live at home on their own with the aid of technology. This would save money that could have been spent on paying for care. Carers are a tremendous asset who do an unknown quantity of work. If the retired people who do caring work were to stop in the morning we would find out how much they contribute to society with no recompense, although I accept the recompense for those who are officially considered as carers has improved in recent times.

We are told that education is a tremendous way for older people to engage with society. Research tells us that people enjoy life more in older age if they embark on a course of study. Other studies tell us that older people who study find it one of the most liberating things they can do. Completing a course of study can improve one's self esteem enormously. I am aware of quite a few people who have done this and they have recounted to me the great sense of achievement they experienced. This is something we should encourage and not hinder.

In many ways we are at a crossroads as a society in terms of our relationship with our older citizens. If we do not reach a positive conclusion about their place in society it will be difficult for us to move forward with any kind of orchestrated plan of action to help them. We need vision and leadership as we progress on this issue. The vision that is required is one that will give people the best possible opportunity as they grow older. We are all guilty in some way or other of having made the odd comment about that "auld wan" or "auld fellow" or whatever the case may be. We need to gain a better understanding of the contribution older people make to their communities and families. It has always been the case that older people have contributed a great deal to society but much of that work has gone unrecognised.

We must also agree the respective roles of the agencies involved, be it the State, the family or the community. There must be a clear role for everybody involved in this area. The goal should be to allow older people the greatest amount of independence and self-fulfilment possible. There is little doubt there is a major challenge ahead for us all in this regard. Perhaps the most serious barrier is the culture of ageism that permeates negatively through society, although I am led to believe there has been an improvement. Everybody is guilty of this at some stage.

The debate on older people in society must also address the issue of long-term care. This must include looking after the social, psychological and spiritual needs of older people. One cannot just land people in long-term care and forget about them. One must look after them and manage their way forward. Connectivity is the key word in all of this. When people require long-term care we cannot allow them to be removed from family, friends, neighbours and all the things with which they are familiar.

The financing of long-term care is an important aspect of the matter. We must examine whether it should be the responsibility of the State or of individuals. I was delighted to hear the Tánaiste, Deputy Harney, speak on this issue on the "Marian Finucane Show" on Saturday morning. She was tremendous. Older people would have been heartened with what she said in regard to people growing older and outliving their money. She said the State would not be found wanting, which is most encouraging to people who are in, or may find themselves in, that situation.

We have probably all experienced older relatives having difficulties. My father lived to the great age of 99. We were blessed to have him. The last seven years of his life were spent in a home. I saw at first hand the problems that can present in that regard. I remember having to drive to Galway to convince a GP that the medical problem my father had was not age related and when the doctor saw the light he was able to cure this minor problem. My father was lucky that he had me to advocate for him. Many people out there suffer in silence.

Advocates are so important in this area, as they are in other areas, such as disability and so on. It is key to a problem to have someone advocating or looking out for one. I welcome the opportunity to say a few words on this issue. I hope it will be one of many debates held both in this House and in the other House as we move towards legislating in this regard.