The Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister is committed to improving the quality of life and public services for our older citizens.

This was among the messages from Junior Ministers Jeffrey Donaldson and Gerry Kelly today at the launch of the Centre for Ageing Research and Development in Ireland (CARDI) in Parliament Buildings.

CARDI has been established to encourage collaboration among age researchers and to disseminate research information relevant to an ageing population.

Speaking at his first official engagement since his appointment to Junior Minister, Jeffrey Donaldson said: “I would like to reinforce our commitment and intention to drive forward initiatives which can improve the quality of life and public services for all older citizens.

“It is imperative that we look critically at areas such as health, housing and transport to ensure we get it right in terms of how we deliver services, to and for older people, in a way that promotes their inclusion in society and ensures they in turn feel valued by that society.

“The Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister recognises that research is important to society and welcomes the establishment of CARDI as a mechanism for greater collaboration among researchers on ageing and wider dissemination of ageing research.”

Junior Minister Kelly added: “We need to ensure that we are doing all we can to help older people, particularly those who are most vulnerable. The Executive is committed to addressing the needs of older people here and that is why in December the First Minister and deputy First Minister announced their intention to establish a Commissioner for Older People.”

Minister Kelly added: “We should recognise the wealth of skills and experience which older people have, and that we as a society fully avail of the important resources that older people bring, whether in the labour market or in the field of volunteering and service provision.

“But we also need to develop progressive strategies and policies which focus on the barriers and problems faced by older people and, at the heart of this development process, must be an independent, innovative, challenging and robust evidence base.

“That is why the establishment of the Centre for Ageing Research & Development in Ireland is therefore a most welcome and timely development.”