AQO 2471/22-27 Oral question to the First Minister and deputy First Minister

To ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister how they are planning strategically for the long-term implications of an ageing population.

Asked by Claire Sugden MLA on 25 September 2025

  • Answered
  • Oral
  • After due date
Tabled
25 September 2025
Answer due by
6 October 2025
Answered
14 October 202519 days after tabling
Department
The Executive Office
Priority question
No

Answer

Older people make such a valuable contribution to our local communities and it is vital we do everything we can to support them. We understand the importance of meeting the challenges we face with an ageing population, but we must also embrace the opportunities.

Our Programme for Government includes commitments to wellbeing and inclusion that apply directly to older people.

And a new Active Ageing Action Plan, based on the framework of the previous Strategy, is being led by the Department for Communities.

This plan will help address the needs and priorities for older people and alongside our PfG commitments, will ensure we can make an immediate and lasting impact on the quality of the lives of our older people.

We are also developing strategies on data and the use of analytics to improve policy making and future proofing. This will prove critical in the planning and investing in the right areas.

Official sources