It took the Northern Ireland Executive 9 months to produce a Draft PfG in August 2024. Disappointingly the draft PfG made not a single reference to the needs or aspirations of older people. When Claire Sugden Independent MLA expressed her disappointment on this issue in a question to the First Minister she was advised that she would have that opportunity in the Consultation on the PfG.
The CSPA NI & other organisations made detailed responses to the PfG in the wide & varied issues we wanted the Executive to take up for older people. However we were shocked and upset when the Final OfG was launched.
Like the draft it concentrated on issues involving women, children, the public sector, housing , hospital waiting lists and so on. All entirely worthy. However, as with the draft, there was not a single mention of older people or pensioners.
