Work of the Commission on Care for Older People

The work of the Commission will be advanced through three discrete modules, which will run consecutively.

In Module 1 the Commission is charged with determining the effectiveness, adequacy and efficiency of the care and supports which are currently provided within the health and social care system, including the plans for their further development, in meeting the evolving care needs of the increasing diversity of older people within the context of the ageing population. The Commission will prepare for the consideration of the Minister for Health and Minister of State for Mental Health and Older People a report detailing the Commission’s work in respect of Module 1 including any learnings for inclusion in Module 2.

In Module 2 the Commission will examine the broader policy options for older people’s care, as determined in Module 1, and will develop a costed and detailed implementation plan for the selected options. At the conclusion of Module 2, the Commission will prepare for the consideration of the Minister for Health and Minister of State for Mental Health and Older People a report detailing the challenges and opportunities identified, and presenting a framework for the overarching strategic development of health and social care services and supports for older people that advances national strategic objectives.

In Module 3 a cross-departmental group will be established under the auspices of the Commission to consider whether the mainstreaming of ageing across Government and civil society is effective in supporting citizens’ healthy, positive, and autonomous ageing across the life course and to prepare for the consideration of the Minister for Health and Minister of State for Mental Health and Older People a costed and detailed implementation plan for the selected options to enable positive ageing in Irish society.