Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 822: To ask the Minister for Health the way he is planning for and anticipating his shared role in ensuring greater cross-departmental and cross-sectoral working and ultimately implementing the upcoming National Positive Aging Strategy; the way in which his anticipation of his role in implementing the National Positive Aging Strategy is being incorporated into the Budget 2012 considerations. [23813/11]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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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. Traditionally, policy relating to older people has tended to deal almost exclusively with health and personal social services.

In recognition that a much wider range of policies, programmes and services impact directly on the lives of older people, 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 is also assisting in the development of the Strategy.

It is envisaged that the Strategy will set out a common framework for the development of operational plans by Government Departments. These operational plans will clearly set out each Department's objectives relating to older people. Mechanisms designed to monitor the implementation of measures contained in these operational plans will also be developed in consultation with Departments.

The Strategy will require a consideration of the inter-related nature of many of the actions needed to enable older people to age positively in Ireland. This means that no single Department or agency can be expected to deliver the Strategy alone. In addition, in the short term, when implementation will require a reconfiguration of existing programmes and services, collaboration between Departments will be important.

Work on developing the Strategy is on-going and taking place within the constraints posed by the present fiscal situation. This work will not be concluded before the end of the year. 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.