The Centre for Ageing Research and Development in Ireland (CARDI) has asked the Department for Social Development, Northern Ireland to continue publishing the annual series of data on the sources and distribution of incomes for single and pensioner couples. CARDI believes that this information is essential for researchers, policy-makers and organisations representing older people’s issues in Northern Ireland.

“At a time of great economic volatility it is vital that the Department, and organisations with an interest in older people, have access to the latest information to track pensioners’ incomes in detail,” said Roger O’Sullivan, director of CARDI.

“An indication of this volatility is that the incomes of pensioners rose for several years, with a resulting decline in the number of pensioners at risk of poverty. However in the 2006-07 year the gross incomes of pensioners declined by £17 per week and their net incomes fell by £16 per week. It is vital that we monitor future changes to ensure that large numbers of older people are not spiralling down into poverty,” he added.

CARDI suggests three important reasons why the DSD must continue to carry out this analysis and publish the results.

1.The Programme for Government 2008-2011 commits the Northern Ireland Executive to reducing poverty. Ensuring that male and female pensioners, living alone or in couples, have adequate incomes for a good quality of life is a central part of reducing poverty; we must measure this to ensure we are achieving the Executive’s goal.

2.The Government has a statutory duty under Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 to monitor the impact of its policies on the nine equality groups, including older people.

3.Government statistics have a particular authority since they are produced by statisticians who are separate from policy makers. An issue as important as pensioner poverty deserves the stamp of ‘official statistics’.

For further information please contact Paul Mc Gill, Strategic Research Officer in the Belfast office, tel: 028 9069 0066 or mobile: 00353 867 904 158; or Kate Morris, Communications Officer, tel: 00353 1 478 6308 or 00353 867 927 684.

The Centre for Ageing Research and Development 

Belfast Office: Forestview         
Purdy’s Lane Belfast BT8 7ZX                             

Dublin office: 5th Floor Bishop's Square
Redmond's Hill, Dublin 2