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How is our work influencing life in Northern Ireland and delivering equality? Learn more about our policy, legal and research work.
 
 

Age equality

The Equality Commission's work in the area of age equality and age discrimination

Age EqualityAge Equality


Part of our statutory remit is to tackle age discrimination and promote age equality in Northern Ireland.  We believe members of society should not be treated differently or unfairly on the basis of their age.
 

Age equality - priorities and recommendations


We recommend that government, officials and key stakeholders act to address the following policy priorities: law reform, health, social care and well-being, employment, education, housing and accommodation, participation in public life, prejudice and social attitudes and welfare and social protection.

Action including via the Programme for Government and Budget; the Active Ageing Strategy; the Children and Young People's Strategy; and the wider policies and programmes for government.

Further information about the Commission's priorities and recommendations is available in the following publications:
 

The Equality Commission's age equality priorities for action are:

Law Reform: Protect people of all ages from unjustified age discrimination in the provision of goods, facilities and services

 

Health, Social Care & Well-Being: Meet the specific needs of older & younger people across a range of equality groups

 

Employment: Reduce the proportion of young people who are NEET; reduce long-term unemployment amongst older people

 

Education: Improve participation of older people; young carers; looked after children; those within the juvenile justice centre

 

Housing & Accommodation: ensure accessible accommodation, energy efficiency and access to fuel-brokering scheme

 

Participation in Public Life: Ensure the active participation of younger and older people; address over-arching barriers

 

Prejudice & Social Attitudes: Challenge age-based negative and prejudicial attitudes, addressing their impact on individuals

 

Welfare & Social Protection: mitigate equality impacts of Welfare Reform; looked after children in criminal justice system

 
 


Contact us
If you have any views on our age equality priorities and recommendations please contact us at publicpolicy@equalityni.org







 
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Age related research

Older people’s experiences when accessing goods and services

 

Strengthening Protection for all Ages (children and young people)

 

Older People's Access to Financial Services

 

Equality awareness survey

 
 

 
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Age related publications

Age equality policy priorities and recommendations
 

Age Law Reform
 
• Strengthening protection for children and young people when accessing goods, facilities and services:
  Proposals for reform by the Equality Commission NI & NICCY: - full guide  -  short guide  -  summary (pdf, 2013)

• Strengthening protection for all ages: Ending age discrimination on the provision of goods and services:
  Proposals for reform – Full Report (pdf, 2012)

• ICR Report: Age discrimination in accessing goods, facilities and services - examples (pdf, 2014)

• Proposals for Legislative Reform (to OFMDFM) (pdf, 2009)

• Attitudes of the public in NI to age related issues: full report and summary report (pdf, 2008)


Guides and codes of practice
 

• Age discrimination law: a short guide (pdf, 2011)
• Changes to the default retirement age - guidance for employers (pdf, 2011)
• Employment equality law update (the 'default retirement age' has been retired)
 
• Age discrimination law: guide for workers and employees (pdf, 2008)
• Age discrimination in employment: guide for employers (pdf)
• Age discrimination guide for vocational training and further education providers (pdf, 2008)

• Let's talk, let's listen: guidance on consulting with children (pdf, 2008)
• Let's talk, let's listen: insert for easy read (pdf, 2008)
• Let's talk, let's listen: easy read (pdf, 2008)


 

• Other age related publications are available online

Consultation responses

 

Recent press releases, articles and blogs

 

Supported legal cases

 
 

 
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Age equality legislation


The Law

Equality and anti-discrimination law may be changed or updated.  The law is also complex and can require interpretation.  Please contact our discrimination advice team if you need clarification or guidance on what the law means. Email: discriminationadvice@equalityni.org or tel: 028 90 500 600.


Main law
 


Amending laws

 



European Union law
 
  • Directive 2000/78/EC - equal treatment in employment on grounds of religion and belief, disability, sexual orientation, age

 

Search our database of decisions and settlements for all resolved age discrimination cases.

 

 
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