Debate contribution: Programme for Government

Debate contribution by Ms Claire Sugden on 7 October 2024.

MLA

Ms Claire Sugden

Party at the time

Independent

Date

7 October 2024

Type

Debate contribution

Business

Private Members' Business

Heading

Programme for Government

Assembly identifier

Official Report component 4579622

Read the official Assembly record

Text

I rise to address an issue that will not surprise the deputy First Minister. This is quickly becoming one of the defining challenges of our time, and it is the rapid ageing of Northern Ireland's population and the urgent need for public services to adapt to that reality. Northern Ireland is ageing more quickly than any other part of the UK. By 2040, nearly 25% of our population will be over 65. While that demographic shift is a reflection of people living longer, which is a good thing, it will bring profound challenges that we are not yet prepared to face. If we fail to plan adequately, we will see a public-services crisis that will affect not only older people but everyone in Northern Ireland — children, working-age families and future generations. The draft Programme for Government promises improvements to public services, particularly a reduction in hospital waiting times, yet it fails to account for the most significant driver of demand, which is an ageing population with multiple long-term conditions. Already 80% of social care packages go to older people. With the number of people over 65 growing by 49% by 2050, our health and social care systems are heading for collapse unless we take action now. Older adults who live with conditions like dementia are projected to triple in prevalence in the coming decades. We will need intensive long-term care that our current system is ill-equipped to provide. A failure to act will lead to increased waiting times, overburdened hospitals and exhausted healthcare workers — sounds familiar — and it will only get worse. Failure to respond to our ageing demographic will also create an economic strain that will be placed on younger generations. By 2040, Northern Ireland will have just three working-age people for every person who is of pensionable age. That will create a higher old-age dependency ratio that will put unprecedented pressure on the workforce to support an ageing population. Younger generations will inevitably face increased taxes that will have to cover the rising cost of pensions, healthcare and social care. Those economic burdens will grow, and there will be increased poverty and a deepening generational inequality. That is not just a future problem — it is happening now — and without a significant policy change that is reflected in a Programme for Government, it will only get worse. The draft programme mentions the need for social housing, but it overlooks the fact that we have an acute shortage of age-appropriate housing in Northern Ireland, as older people require homes that are accessible and safe. That shortage is a major social issue. The percentage of older people who are waiting for social housing is growing, and without urgent action, many will be forced into unsuitable living conditions, which will further exacerbate health issues. Social isolation and loneliness among older people are already at crisis levels, and that will only intensify without intervention. The Commissioner for Older People highlighted that the lack of transport and community services, particularly in rural areas, is isolating older people in those communities, which leads to deteriorating mental health and an increased burden on health services.

Perhaps the most glaring omission is the lack of age discrimination legislation in Northern Ireland. We are the only region of the United Kingdom not to have that legislation for goods, facilities and services. I hope to address that omission as a private Member, but it should be up to our Government to put value on our older people and close the gap of inequalities for that age group. The Programme for Government needs to have a specific outcome on preparing for an ageing society. That would provide a road map for cross-departmental action, ensuring that all aspects of public services, from healthcare to housing and from transport to employment, are equipped to meet the demands of a rapidly ageing population. The draft Programme for Government does not go far enough. It lacks specific and measurable outcomes that will address the growing crisis in healthcare, housing, social isolation and age discrimination. We need a clear, coordinated and well-funded strategy to adapt to our public services. Anything less will lead to a future in which our systems buckle under the strain, our citizens are left unsupported, and intergenerational tensions deepen. The draft Programme for Government must have a specific focus on preparing for an ageing society, because, if we fail to act now, we risk creating a society where older people are left behind, public services collapse, and future generations are saddled with an unsustainable economic burden. The time to act is now, embedded in the Government's overarching policy. Let us ensure that we are prepared for the future — for all of us, young and old.

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

Assessment

Not flagged

Jev’s structured answers

Assessed 21 October 2026 at 11:23 UTC by jev-1.13.0 (requested as typesafe/jev) under rubric 2026.10-r9, methodology 1.9.

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