Seanad debates

Wednesday, 2 October 2013

10:30 am

Photo of Mary WhiteMary White (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

As we are in the midst of Positive Ageing Week I wish to raise the issue of Ireland's growing number of older people. Irish people are living longer and enjoy more years of healthy, active living than previous generations. The world is ageing so fast that most countries are not prepared to support their swelling numbers of elderly people, according to a global study issued yesterday by the United Nations. The report ranks the social and economic well-being of elders in 91 countries, with Sweden coming out on top and Afghanistan at the bottom. It reflects what advocates for the old have been warning with increasing urgency for years, namely, that nations are simply not working quickly enough to cope with a population growing faster than ever before. By the year 2050, for the first time in history, senior elders older than 60 will outnumber children younger than 15. Our Scandinavian neighbours, Norway and Sweden, are leading the way with the most important issues of income security, health status, employment, education and providing an environment where older people can continue to develop their potential and contribute to society. The fact that Ireland ranks 12th is encouraging but why are we doing so poorly with regard to income security, employment and education? Currently, Ireland is ranked 24th when it comes to income security and 32nd when it comes to employment and education, making us among the worst in Europe.

Less than half of Irish people aged 50 to 64 are currently in employment. This means a large section of our population with valuable experience and expertise are being under-utilised. As a nation, why is Ireland not aspiring to be as good as countries such as Norway and Sweden when it comes to caring for and respecting its older population? That people are living longer is a testament to advances in health care and nutrition and our older people should be seen as a resource, not as a burden. I call for a debate on Ireland's inability to adequately care for our older generation. It is simply not good enough that so many over the age of 50 are having such difficulty finding employment and contributing to Irish society in a meaningful way.

Some months ago I introduced a Bill ending compulsory retirement and the Minister, Deputy Shatter, stated:

I have a great deal of sympathy on this issue and would like to emphasise my continued commitment and that of the Government to promoting good employment and equality practices by all employers in Ireland. Many in their 60s and 70s have the alacrity and mental capacity to make a continuing and substantial contribution to their lives and those of others and to remain in the workforce and be innovative.
He further stated, "This is a useful and valuable debate."
I ask the Leader to ask the Minister, Deputy Shatter, the reason he is so slow off the mark following up on the Bill I introduced and that was received very well by the Minister, Deputy Phil Hogan, who on that day stated, "I do not normally agree with Fianna Fáil policy but I am glad this one has been put forward." The Leader might let me know when this issue will be pushed forward to ensure the human rights of our older citizens and that people will be allowed work after the age of 65 if they so wish.

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