NI elderly to get commissioner

The commissioner role is aimed to protect older people

An older people's commissioner is to be appointed by next year to defend the rights and interests of the elderly in Northern Ireland.

The announcement was made by the first and deputy first ministers.

Grace Henry, director of Help the Aged in Northern Ireland, said the significance of the announcement could not be over estimated.

"We are living in an increasingly ageing society where many older people are socially excluded," she said.