Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 November 2021
990. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health if he will review the National Positive Ageing Strategy; the reason it has not been updated in over eight years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52794/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Positive Ageing Strategy is a high level document outlining Ireland’s vision for ageing and older people and the national goals and objectives required to promote positive ageing. It is an over-arching cross-departmental policy document that has influenced policy and service delivery across Government since its inception.
Significant developments have been made, and continue to be made, in promoting positive ageing since the Strategy launched in 2013. In relation to the Programme for Government commitment to create an Age Friendly Ireland, progress is being made on commitments to increase home and community supports and housing options for older people. In particular, Sláintecare, which envisages older people being supported to live well in their own homes for as long as possible, sets out an overarching vision for care in our community and enabling older people to live longer at home.
New projects such as the Healthy Age Friendly Homes Programme, the establishment of a Statutory Home Support Scheme, and Integrated Care Packages for Older People (ICPOP) are just some examples of the progress we are making across Government, agencies, and with stakeholders in the community to increase the positive experience of ageing. The establishment of Age Friendly Ireland as a shared service for older people nationally is a further significant achievement.
Since the publication of the National Positive Ageing Strategy, my Department has developed a significant body of research to inform an evidence based approach to policy making for older people in partnership with the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA) and the research initiative set up on foot of the Positive Ageing Strategy, the Healthy & Positive Ageing Initiative.
Across Government, we will continue to prioritise improvements in health outcomes for older people in Ireland by focusing on the effective implementation and delivery of outcomes envisaged in Sláintecare, Housing For All, and other focused strategies such as the National Dementia Strategy.
