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Commissioner for Ageing and Older Persons Urgently Needed

Published 31/01/2023

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(31 January 2023) Age Action is reiterating their call for Government to set up a Commissioner for Ageing and Older persons to bring an appropriate level of insight, representation and transparency to policy on ageing and older persons, and to help prevent scandals such as the recent revelation of a secret state policy to deter older persons from taking cases to challenge being charged for nursing home care.

“A single, independent office is needed to safeguard and promote the interests of older people now and in the future. Currently, nobody is tasked monitoring and seeking remedies for gaps in policy or inaction that disproportionately impacts older people. The revelation of a secret strategy to frustrate older persons from contesting nursing home fees highlights once again the need for a Commissioner for Ageing and Older Persons to be established as a matter of urgency,” said Celine Clarke, Head of Advocacy and Public Affairs at Age Action.

“There are over one million people over the age of 60 in Ireland today, most of whom do not have access to representative bodies or state resolution mechanisms that are available to employees or business owners.  A Commissioner would address this gap by bringing representation and transparency to issues relevant to older people. A Commissioner could investigate and review the adequacy of policy, legislation and services affecting older people” said Clarke.

Responding to media reports of a legal strategy by the State to block or minimise compensation to older persons and their families in relation to nursing home charges, Celine Clarke said “It is clear from the Ombudsman’s Who Cares? report in 2010 and action since that we don’t have transparency, accountability or remedy for people directly affected. We need full disclosure from Government and the Department of Health so we learn lessons to make sure that people who need care receive care regardless of their means, have access to all the information they need to make decisions about their own lives and have access to justice” said Clarke.

 

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Age Action Ireland to benefit from Gas Networks Ireland Survey

Age Action is to benefit from a Gas Networks Ireland initiative. Customers will recieve a txt message from Gas Networks in relation to recent gas meter installations requesting feedback on their experience. Every feedback received will see a €2 donation made to Age Action. There is no obligation to participate.

 

How It Works

If you've had your gas meter recently replaced by Gas Networks Ireland, you may receive a message from Marie Lyster, their Customer Experience Manager. This message is an invitation to share your feedback, but please remember, your participation is entirely voluntary. Here's what the message will look like:

Message from Gas Networks Ireland:

“You recently had your gas meter replaced by us. Please take a minute to tell us how you got on by clicking on the link below. Your feedback is important to us, helping us to improve our services. There is no obligation to participate, but should you choose to do so, on receipt of your response, we will donate €2 to Age Action Ireland.

Many thanks, Marie Lyster, Customer Experience Manager"

 

By providing feedback – only if you choose to – you'll be supporting Age Action Ireland. For every piece of feedback received, Gas Networks Ireland will donate €2 to our organisation. This contribution can support our efforts to improve the lives of older people in Ireland.

For more information about our work and other ways to get involved with Age Action, please click here