Northern Ireland

Commissioner for older people steps down after eight years

Recently speaking out against winter fuel cuts and scams against pensioners, a replacement for Eddie Lynch has yet to be announced

Eddie Lynch has said he is hopeful that key pieces of legislation to protect older people in Northern Ireland will still progress within months.
Eddie Lynch has said he is hopeful that key pieces of legislation to protect older people in Northern Ireland will still progress within months. (Kelvin Boyes)
By Allan Preston

NORTHERN Ireland’s Commissioner for Older People, Eddie Lynch, has stepped down from his post after eight years.

First appointed in 2016, he is only the second person to hold the commissioner job since it was established in 2011.

No replacement has been announced, although the position was advertised in July.

Most recently speaking out on winter fuel payments and pensioners being targeted by scammers - Mr Lynch’s tenure has focused on key issues like age discrimination, older people’s experiences of crime, treatment of older people during the Covid-19 pandemic, adult safeguarding and campaigning for an Adult Protection Bill.

In 2018, he published a damning report into conditions at Dunmurry Care Home, with the widely publicised report leading to nearly 50 recommendations for change to improve the quality of care in Northern Ireland.

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“I feel deeply honoured to have held this post for the past eight years and have done my best to elevate the lived experiences and concerns of older people on a range of important issues,” he said.

“Although my time as Commissioner is ending, there is so much work still to be done to ensure our older people are prioritised and their voices are heard.

“I feel reassured knowing that this office will continue to work hard and call upon our government to adequately plan for the greatest demographic shift in our society – our ageing population."

The National Pensioners Convention in Northern Ireland hold a protest at Stormont over the government’s new policy on the Winter Fuel Allowance for pensioners. PICTURE: JORDAN TREANOR
Pensioners protesting at Stormont in October over changes to winter fuel payments. PICTURE: JORDAN TREANOR

Mr Lynch said he was hopeful over the coming months and years that legislation he had championed would come into effect in Northern Ireland, including the Adult Protection Bill and Age Discrimination Legislation.

“I would like to thank everyone who has trusted and supported me in my work over the last eight years, and for all those who positively engaged with my office to better understand and meet the needs of older people throughout Northern Ireland.”