Commissioner for Older People Act (Northern Ireland) 2011
| Jurisdiction | Northern Ireland |
| Citation | 2011 NI c 1 |
(1) There is to be an officer known as the Commissioner for Older People for Northern Ireland.(2) The Commissioner is to be appointed by the First Minister and deputy First Minister acting jointly.(3) The appointment of the Commissioner under subsection (2) may be made only after taking account of the views of persons aged 60 or over in accordance with arrangements made by F8the Executive Office .(4) Schedule 1 has effect in relation to the Commissioner.(1) The principal aim of the Commissioner in exercising the functions of the Commissioner under this Act is to safeguard and promote the interests of older persons.(2) In determining whether and, if so, how to exercise the functions of the Commissioner under this Act in relation to any particular older person the Commissioner's paramount consideration must be the interests of that older person but, in the Commissioner's dealings with any body or person under this Act, the Commissioner must at all times have regard to any statutory provision or rule of law which authorises or requires that body or person to act in a particular manner or authorises or requires that body or person to have regard to any consideration other than that mentioned above.considering, for the purposes of this Act, what constitutes the interests of older persons, anddetermining whether and, if so, how to exercise the functions of the Commissioner under this Act,(1) The Commissioner must promote an awareness of matters relating to the interests of older persons and of the need to safeguard those interests.(2) The Commissioner must keep under review the adequacy and effectiveness of law and practice relating to the interests of older persons.(3) The Commissioner must keep under review the adequacy and effectiveness of services provided for older persons by relevant authorities.(4) The Commissioner must promote the provision of opportunities for, and the elimination of discrimination against, older persons.(5) The Commissioner must encourage best practice in the treatment of older persons.(6) The Commissioner must promote positive attitudes towards older persons and encourage participation by older persons in public life.as soon as reasonably practicable after receipt of a request for advice; andon such other occasions as the Commissioner thinks appropriate.the functions of the Commissioner;the location of the Commissioner's office; andthe ways in which they may communicate with the Commissioner;older persons are encouraged to communicate with the Commissioner;the views of older persons are sought concerning the exercise by the Commissioner of the Commissioner's functions;the services of the Commissioner are, so far as practicable, made available to older persons in the locality in which they live.(1) The Commissioner may undertake, commission or provide financial or other assistance for research or educational activities concerning the interests of older persons or the exercise of the Commissioner's functions.(2) The Commissioner may, after consultation with such bodies or persons as the Commissioner thinks appropriate, issue guidance on best
To continue reading
Request your trial