To ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail the rationale behind the reallocation of policy responsibility for Older People to the new Health Department, given the breadth of non-health related issues which affect Older People.

The Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister exercised responsibility for the central development and co-ordination of policy in relation to a wide range of specific groups within society. However, we consider that there is no compelling reason why this function cannot also be performed effectively by another Department and, in the case of older people, by the proposed Department of Health which already has a major interest in their well-being. All relevant Departments will, of course, continue to contribute, as now, to the development of policy in this area. We believe that this will ensure better alignment of departmental policies and associated strategies, such as active aging with the strategic framework for public health which seeks to enable and support people in achieving their full health and well-being potential.