Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party)
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506. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to calls to create a commissioner for older people; his views on the merits of creating such a position; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37755/24]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The Government is committed to supporting positive ageing across the life-course as well as to ensuring that older people can continue to live independently in their homes and communities for as long as possible. This commitment is enshrined in the National Positive Ageing Strategy, which provides a blueprint for promoting older people’s engagement in economic, social, cultural and community life and for fostering inter-generational solidarity. Under Sláintecare we have taken great strides in achieving these objectives through a range of initiatives, including the Enhanced Community Care Programme, the development of a statutory home support scheme, the Healthy Age Friendly Homes Programme, and the diversification of housing options for older people.

However, despite this good progress, we recognise that there remain significant challenges, which the COVID-19 pandemic set in relief and which will be exacerbated as our population ages. It is within this context that, in fulfilment of the commitment in the Programme for Government, the Government established an independent Commission on Care for Older People on 21st March 2024. In Budget 2024 €1.243 million was allocated to the Commission, which is being supported by a secretariat from my Department.

The Commission is chaired by Professor Alan Barrett (Chief Executive Officer, Economic and Social Research Institute) and is comprised of independent experts. Collectively the members of the Commission provide expertise across the areas of geriatrics, gerontology, health economics, health policy and management, primary care, health ethics, health technologies, and ageing and disability, as well as representation of the community and voluntary sector and of older people.

The Commission is charged with examining the provision of health and social care services and supports for older people and with making recommendations to the Government for their strategic development. Subsequently a cross-departmental group will be established under the auspices of the Commission to consider whether the supports for positive ageing across the life course are fit-for-purpose and to develop a costed implementation plan for options to optimise these supports. Accordingly, it is envisaged that consideration of matters such as the merits of establishing a Commissioner for Older People will fall within the Commission’s remit.