ICTU Retired Workers/National Pensioners Convention Delegation   Meeting with the new COPNI  Siobhan Casey.

Friday the 14th November 2025 in CWU Regional Offices, Unite Blds. Antrim Rd Belfast.

On Friday of last week a joint delegation comprising members of the Irish Congress Retired Workers Northern Committee and the NPC Northern Ireland Region met with the new Commissioner for Older People, Siobhan Casey.

Although Siobhan has been in the post since April this year this was the first opportunity both organisations had to meet and discuss current issues of concern to older people in the Region.

In her opening remarks the Commissioner said she was still in the process of gathering information on the local retired network. This involved meeting with like-minded groups and organisations in the Region as well as conferring with other dedicated older people organisations across GB.

The Commissioner said it was important that we agree a timetable for regular meetings. From the perspective of the COPNI office if was imperative that she got the priorities right to effectively organise campaigns of support in the NI Region.

She suggested that a joint approach on campaigning was a sensible way forward and agreed an improvement in media relations was fundamental in getting our message across.

Questions and Answers:

During a lengthy Q&A session delegates raised queries on current issues including :

v  Cost of living issues for older people.

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v  Winter Fuel Payments

v  Relations between the NI Assembly, Individual Parties and the COPNI office.

v  Road and Rail Infrastructure

v  Maintaining the Travel Smart Pass.

v  The Importance of the Triple Lock and the continued unacceptable UK rate of Pensions (currently 15th in the European Pensions “League Table”)

v  Unacceptable attacks on the TV License for over 65’s

v  The urgent need for more input to various Assembly Working Parties and more information from the COPNI office on frequency of meetings/consultations / reports etc.

v  Questions remain on the aftermath of Covid and Govt. policy on any repeat pandemic.

v  Care Homes and Caring for the elderly with the advent of winter upon us.

v  COPNI relationships with the NI Assembly and the importance of maintaining an impartial stance on the current issues.

v  Scams. The urgent need for Internet scrutiny amidst the rising threat of Scams across all social media platforms.

v  Digital Exclusion / Inclusion was now a major issue of concern for older people. How we reach out to insure they can deal with an ever-growing need to have hands-on expertise when dealing with day-to-day on-line tasks e.g. Shopping, banking and paying bills, organising GP appointments, and generally keeping in touch with relatives, the list grows bigger by the day.

v  We should work to-gether to ensure our elder citizens have the training, have access to suitable equipment and are competent in carrying-out these “on-line” tasks.

v  And every bit as important, are those amongst us who, for whatever reason, do not want to be “digital savvy”  Important they are not left behind. We need to ensure they are catered for in whatever format they are comfortable with.

v  Loneliness. How we address this growing problem which is greatly exasperated by the increasing onslaught of IT? Many older people, the majority living on their own are now in danger of complete isolation. The onus is on us and like-minded organisations to ensure there is a comprehensive policy to improve communications and community relations to create inclusiveness in society. The advent of winter and the issues/concerns are multiplied for our older people, thousands of whom are at risk.

In closing the Commissioner thanked all delegates for attending what had been undoubtedly an interesting and productive meeting. Margaret Galloway Chairperson on behalf of Congress and the NPC said the issues raised and the concerns expressed were a clear indication of the work ahead for all of us.

The meeting closed at 145pm

v  L C Huston               CWU NITB Representative

ICTU RW Committee & NPC National Executive