This was among the messages from Junior Minister Jeffrey Donaldson today when he addressed the first Northern Ireland Pensioners Parliament in Belfast.

Speaking at the event in the Grosvenor Conference Centre, Jeffrey Donaldson said: “In common with other parts of the UK we in Northern Ireland are increasingly becoming an older society. We need to ensure that we are doing all we can to help those who are most vulnerable, those who live with financial hardship, those who live lonely and isolated lives and those who fear for their personal safety.

“Public services must be provided in a way that promotes the inclusion in society of all older people and ensures that in turn they feel valued and respected by society.

“The commitment of the First Minister and deputy First Minister, and indeed the Executive as a whole, to enhancing the rights of older people is reflected within our first Programme for Government and the corresponding Public Service Agreements.”

In line with this commitment, the First Minister and deputy First Minister recently announced their intention to establish the Office of Commissioner for Older People.

Jeffrey Donaldson said: “A Commissioner’s Office, when established will provide independent advice to Ministers. This will inform our decisions in a way that will help improve the delivery of public services and quality of the lives of older people who depend on these services."