To ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister (i) to detail their plans to create a high level outcome within the Programme for Government that addresses issues affecting older people; and (ii) whether they will commit to ensuring collaborative working across relevant Executive Departments in order to achieve this outcome.

The Executive’s agreed approach to the Programme for Government begins with a draft Framework of Outcomes – statements of societal well-being which, when taken together, are intended to capture the range of things that experience and research suggest matter most to people.

The Executive consulted on the proposed strategic Outcomes Framework consisting of nine Outcomes between January and March 2021. The proposed Outcomes represent the kind of society we want to see - an inclusive society in which people of all ages are respected and supported.

We see older people as intrinsic in all of the proposed nine Outcomes, particularly the Outcomes ‘We all enjoy long, healthy active lives’ and ‘We have a caring society that supports people throughout their lives.’

The proposed Outcomes Framework aims to promote positive mental health and wellbeing, address social issues, risk factors and environmental impacts, such as social isolation and loneliness. The wellbeing approach taken by the Executive therefore, should act as a catalyst in establishing support measures to tackle issues such as loneliness and other challenges faced by older people.

Agreeing the Outcomes Framework is an important first step in the development process, ahead of considering and agreeing a Programme for Government.

The Executive believes this is an approach with immense potential to transform public service delivery. The expectation is that it will help remove organisational barriers and be a strong driver for the collaborative working practices that are needed to effect real and lasting change and improvement. The key principle is the Executive working in partnership with people and communities everywhere to identify and deliver actions that will help achieve the quality of life conditions that go to the centre of people’s wellbeing.