'Action needed' to protect elderly

The government must take more action to protect elderly people in the community, the Democratic Unionist Party has said.

The party outlined their concerns during talks with the Minister for Social Development, John Spellar.

The meeting followed an attack on a 96-year-old woman and her daughter at their home in Tullylish outside Gilford, County Down, earlier this week.

North Belfast MP Nigel Dodds said too many senior citizens were "living in fear" in Northern Ireland.

"Newspaper and television reports of horrific assaults on some 80 and 90-year-olds has created a climate of fear amongst elderly people who feel isolated and vulnerable," he said.

"We urged Mr Spellar to work in tandem with the Security Minister, Jane Kennedy, to implement a comprehensive community safety strategy so that voluntary groups, the police and statutory agencies can work to ensure that older people feel safe in their own homes."

Nigel Dodds called for an Older Persons' Commissioner

The former Stormont social development minister called for an Older Persons' Commissioner to be appointed to co-ordinate organisations which provide services for the elderly and to monitor the quality of their work.

Mr Dodds also called for a senior citizens charter to be implemented.

"Our delegation took the opportunity to ask the minister to implement the senior citizens charter which supports the provision of free travel on public transport for everyone over 60," he said .

"It also supports the provision of free personal and nursing care for older people similar to that provided in Scotland and the delivery of free TV licences for all aged over 65."