On 18 September, Ireland’s Alliance of Age Sector NGOs hosted a pre-election briefing event in Dublin to meet with Irish general election candidates to call for the establishment of an Independent Commissioner for Ageing and Older People. The Alliance, representing seven leading older persons organisations, is calling on all Irish political parties to include a commitment in their manifestos, ahead of the next general election, to establish an Independent Commissioner for Ageing to ensure that Ireland’s various policy commitments relevant to older people are meaningfully monitored. An Independent Commissioner would have a mandate which recognises the full capacity and potential of older people, covering their needs and rights across the spectrum, not just in terms of health, care, and vulnerability. The Alliance is made up of seven leading older persons organisations - The Alzheimer Society of Ireland, Irish Senior Citizens Parliament, Alone, Age & Opportunity, Irish Hospice Foundation, Active Retirement Ireland, and Third Age - who are working collaboratively to combat ageism.
