Debate contribution: Ageing Population: Strategic Plan
Debate contribution by Miss Nicola Brogan on .
- MLA
- Miss Nicola Brogan
- Party at the time
- Sinn Féin
- Date
- 25 February 2025
- Type
- Debate contribution
- Business
- Private Members' Business
- Heading
- Ageing Population: Strategic Plan
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 4815157
Read the official Assembly record
Text
Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle.
I did not get a sip of my water. I thank Claire Sugden for tabling this important motion. I am glad to have the opportunity to speak on it, so I thank you, Claire, for bringing it forward. Our society's changing age profile brings with it many challenges and, indeed, opportunities. There are issues that must be addressed regarding housing, health and social care, workforce planning and training and others. NISRA statistics released last year show the extent of the changes, with an increase during the past decade in the number of over-65s, who now account for 18% of the population. The growth is higher still in the number of over-85s, with an increase of 25% during the same period. Whilst the obvious challenge that longer life expectancy presents will be reflected in health and social care pressures, forward planning is needed in many other areas, including housing and economic issues. Current pressures on housing demand and supply are well known in the Chamber. Population shifts will continue to affect the planning that is needed for future housing programmes. The number of households has grown as a result of demographic ageing, and an ageing population will result in increased numbers of smaller households. That means that not only will more houses and housing units be required but a range of sizes will be required to cater for smaller households and a greater variety of need. The Housing Executive has previously addressed that concern, noting in 2023 that, if the social housing sector was to address the ageing population, it would need to cater for a range of households, including single, small family and older-person households. That would mean, for example, building more category 1 accommodation for older people. There are clear knock-on effects from the provision of adequate housing for older people that will, in turn, release housing for people at different stages in life and with different needs. For example, as people age, they may wish to downsize for practical reasons or for accessibility needs, which can make suitable homes available for others. Locally, unemployment is being reported at an all-time low, at around 2%, although there are other measures to take into account, including economic inactivity. With over 35% of 50- to 64-year-olds deemed to be economically inactive, there is the potential to grow the workforce through a range of measures, including upskilling and reskilling, flexible working and increased support for health and well-being. Employers must respond to an ever-changing environment and ensure that people are afforded real opportunities to work and to remain in work. Despite the benefits of a multigenerational workforce, poor attitudes in the workplace may act as a barrier to older workers accessing jobs and feeling valued at work. Research has shown that more than one third of those aged 50 to 69 felt that they would be at a disadvantage when applying for jobs. That is often based on a suspicion that employers might see them differently because of their age, so more work needs to be done in that regard. Our older population must be given full consideration in departmental planning, and their needs should be reflected in the decisions that are taken and the strategies that are implemented across health and social care, housing, employment and beyond. The benefits of forward planning will help to best inform policy and practice across all of those issues. Ultimately, placing value on our older generations will reduce social exclusion and increase participation in a range of sectors across society, and society will benefit as a whole.
599 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
Assessment
Jev’s structured answers met the documented threshold for “not flagged”.
- Overall probability that the activity is being used to promote, exploit or escalate an identity-based controversy: 0.03 (flagging needs at least 0.70; at or below 0.30 is not flagged).
- None of the five culture-war criteria was met (each was below 0.60).
- Assessed as legitimate policy scrutiny (0.91).
- No identity-based framing was identified (1.00).
- Subject area: Sexism, misogyny, ageism and other equality groups.
- The overall probability was at or below the not-flagging threshold.
This is an AI-generated assessment of the text, made against published criteria. It is not a finding of fact about the MLA or their intentions. The Assembly record itself is the fact.
Jev’s structured answers
| Question | Probability | Met? |
|---|---|---|
| Identity framing | 0.03 | No |
| Sectarian or communal antagonism | 0.02 | No |
| Cultural grievance politics | 0.01 | No |
| Dog-whistle messaging | 0.02 | No |
| Controversy escalation | 0.02 | No |
| Legitimate policy scrutiny | 0.91 | Yes |
| Overall judgement | 0.03 | At or below not-flagging threshold |
| Option | Probability |
|---|---|
| No identity-based framing (chosen) | 1.00 |
| Reports or questions it | 0.00 |
| Criticises or condemns it | 0.00 |
| Adopts it | 0.00 |
| Subject | Probability |
|---|---|
| Sexism, misogyny, ageism and other equality groups | 1.00 |
| No identity-related subject | 0.00 |
| Flags, emblems, symbols, names and memorials | 0.00 |
| Parades, bonfires and commemorations | 0.00 |
| Irish language, Ulster-Scots and language policy | 0.00 |
Assessed 21 October 2026 at 12:01 UTC by jev-1.13.0 (requested as typesafe/jev) under rubric 2026.10-r9, methodology 1.9.
Disagree with this assessment?
Classifications can be challenged. A person reads every challenge, and any change is recorded publicly above with its reason.