Debate contribution: Age Discrimination (Goods, Facilities and Services) Bill: Second Stage

Debate contribution by Mr Stewart Dickson on 20 October 2026.

MLA: Mr Stewart Dickson
Party at the time: Alliance Party
Date: 20 October 2026
Type: Debate contribution
Business: Private Members' Business
Heading: Age Discrimination (Goods, Facilities and Services) Bill: Second Stage
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 5798452

Text

I thank the Member for raising the issue of older people and the use of the internet through a laptop, computer or, particularly, mobile phone. I recently had a constituent in my office who does not use any of that equipment. The constituent has a basic mobile phone to keep in contact with family members but was expected to use it to access the home heating oil scheme. Subsequent enquiries to the Department on that, by myself and my office, showed a very narrow understanding of the circumstances and, in reality, there was a virtual point-blank refusal to assist in any other way. The person on the phone was incredulous that an older person could not use a mobile phone or that that mobile phone would not give her access to the internet.

133 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

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