Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 501: To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding and the future plans for the national positive ageing strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20998/11]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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The Programme for Government published in March 2011 has committed to completing and implementing the National Positive Ageing Strategy so that older people are recognised, supported and enabled to live independent full lives. It is being developed within the constraints posed by the present fiscal situation. It is not the intention that it will propose new service developments; rather it will set the strategic direction for future policies, programmes and services for older people in Ireland. It is envisaged that the Strategy will set out a common framework for the development of operational plans by Government Departments clearly setting out their objectives relating to older people, as well as the development of ongoing mechanisms designed to monitor progress and identify challenges facing older people in the future.

Development of the Strategy is being assisted by a Cross-Departmental Group (CDG), comprised of officials from 11 Government Departments, the Central Statistics Office and An Garda Síochána, and is chaired by the Director of the Office for Older People. An NGO Liaison Group comprising representatives of twelve national-level non-governmental organisations with an interest in older people's issues has been established under an independent chair.

Research has been commissioned on national strategies for older people in other jurisdictions. The Strategy will also take cognisance of other strategies and policy documents developed in Ireland over the past decade, and the strategy will be underpinned by the UN Principles for Older Persons, the World Health Organisation's Active Ageing: A Policy Framework (2002), and the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing (2002).

The development of the Strategy will also be informed by information gained through a public consultation process. A call for written submissions was issued in June 2009 and 190 submissions were received from a broad range of stakeholders. Following the written consultation process, a series of nine consultation meetings was held from March to May 2010. These meetings, attended by approx 1200 people, were held in Cork, Sligo, Galway, Kildare, Wexford, Newcastle West, Dundalk, Dublin and Athlone. Meetings were also held in April 2010 with groups representing vulnerable and marginalised older people. A round-table meeting was also held with stakeholders involved in the Louth Age Friendly County Initiative with a view to learning more about the approaches taken in relation to older people's issues in County Louth.

A report on the consultation process to highlight issues which older people and service providers raised was finalised and published on 22 November 2010. The report also outlines other relevant background information.

Work on the preparation of the Strategy and the development of monitoring and review structures and processes are on-going in consultation with the groups listed above. The publication of the Strategy is expected in the latter half of 2011.