THE MINISTER OF State for Primary and Social Care, Kathleen Lynch has said that she will retain responsibility for older people under the Social Care element of her portfolio.
It comes after a change in her title earlier today.
Lynch was appointed - Minister of State at the Department of Health with Special Responsibility for Primary Care, Mental Health and Disability.
However, in 2011 the Minister of State’s title was -Minister of State at the Department of Health with Special Responsibility for Disability, Older People, Equality & Mental Health.
Minister Lynch has released a statement this evening saying that she “retains responsibility under the Social Care element of her portfolio for Mental Health, Disability and Older People”.
Concerns
The charity for older people, Alone, said it is ‘extremely concerned’ about the change of title.
CEO Sean Moynihan said, “The removal of ‘older people’ from the Ministerial title strongly suggests a shift in priorities within the current Government.
The number of people over the age of 65 is increasing by 20,000 a year.
Monihan added, “in such a climate the government should be prioritising the needs of older people and strategically planning for the future instead of removing them from sight.”
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