Written answers

Tuesday, 24 April 2007

Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform

National Strategy for Older People

11:00 pm

Photo of Joe HigginsJoe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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Question 153: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will commit to the development and implementation of a national strategy for older people as recommended by the older and bolder campaign to age proof all policy, legislation and access to services and deliver equality for older people. [14578/07]

Photo of Michael McDowellMichael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The Employment Equality Act 1998, as amended by the Equality Act 2004, prohibits discrimination in relation to nine grounds, one of which is age. The Equal Status Acts 2000 to 2004 give protection against discrimination in access to and provision of goods and services on the same nine grounds. My Department chairs a Working Group on Equality Proofing, the membership of which is drawn from the Four Pillars of Social Partnership and from relevant Government Departments, the Equality Authority and the Combat Poverty Agency. The Group is working towards the introduction of a wide ranging system of equality proofing to assess the impact of policy on all nine grounds identified in equality legislation. The Working Group articulates a vision of a single integrated equality proofing process. The target groups to be covered by equality proofing procedures are those grounds, which include age, covered by the Equal Status Acts 2000 to 2004 and the Employment Equality Act 1998. I am pleased to note that this year's activities to celebrate the European Year of Equal Opportunities for All 2007 will include a campaign to develop public awareness on ageism and older people.

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