FAQs

Eddie Lynch is the current Commissioner for Older People for Northern Ireland.  He has served for two terms since 2014 and a new Commissioner is due to be appointed in 2024. 

The Commissioner’s office was established in 2011 as part of the Commissioner for Older People Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 to be an independent champion who safeguards and promotes the interest of older people.

The Commissioner’s work reflects the opinions of older people in Northern Ireland. 

Eddie Lynch formed his priorities for action for his term by considering the issues identified through research, casework queries directed to the COPNI office and from speaking with older people. 

The Commissioner’s priorities for this term of office are centred around the overarching theme of Tackling Ageism. 

Click here to download 'Right here, right now' - 2022- 2024 Corporate Plan. 

A new Commissioner will be appointed in 2024 and a new Corporate Plan will be produced then for consultation. 

The Commissioner provides assistance to individual older people (aged over 60 ) who need advocacy or legal support. 

The cases that the Commissioner deals with directly are tested against strict case acceptance criteria as the Commissioner's legislation does not allow him to duplicate the work of another public authority. However, where an older person is having problems dealing with a public authority the Commissioner can advocate on their behalf.

This is done in a number of ways such as:

• Writing letters or making telephone calls on behalf of an older person
• The Commissioner’s legal officers can attend meetings in an observer, advisory or advocacy role.
• The Commissioner can provide direct legal assistance in cases involving older people and service providers (public authorities) that are of a strategic interest to older people.
• When older people have experienced difficulties with public authorities the Commissioner can also encourage the use of or provide access to alternative dispute resolution.

For more information on how the legal team assist older people please click here.

The Commissioner’s team also signpost a lot of enquiries to the right agency or organisation that provides the most relevant assistance. Almost half of the calls received are referred to Benefits Agency, Health Trusts and other advice agencies. Contact details for many of the agencies and organisations which the Commissioner’s office deals with can be found here.

The Commissioner and his Senior Management Team undertake a wide-ranging programme of engagement with older people and with groups that represent them. 

These are valuable opportunities for the Commissioner to meet with different older people from all backgrounds across Northern Ireland to hear about what matters most to them. 

If you would like to invite the Commissioner to attend an event or meet with your group please email communications@copni.org giving as much detail as possible about your group and when you would like the Commissioner to visit. The Commissioner’s diary is always very busy so please send any requests through with as much advance notice as you can to avoid disappointment. 

The Commissioner undertakes both planned and reactive work throughout his term. In addition to the specific planned projects, the Commissioner will also keep under close review all issues affecting the interests of, or services available to older people. 

The Commissioner will also collaborate with key agencies and Government to affect positive change for older people.

Click here to download 'Right here, right now' - 2022- 2024 Corporate Plan. 

The Commissioner’s remit covers a wide range of issues including:

• Highlighting the positive contribution of older people and challenging negative stereotypes. 
• Championing the rights of older people to the services, support, respect and equality that they deserve.
• The need for service providers and Government to be accountable for the decisions they make in planning and delivering services and support for older people.
• Transport
• Health and social care
• Crime
• Equality
• Elder abuse 
• Financial abuse and scams

The Commissioner provides advice to Government on a range of issues, many of which from his key priorities.

The Commissioner and his policy team also respond to consultation papers from public authorities on issues affecting older people. These responses aim to ensure that the interests of older people are promoted and safeguarded when policy or legislative changes are being considered.

The Commissioner's advice to Government, reports and consultation responses can be found here.
 

All of COPNI’s reports and consultation responses can be found here.

The Commissioner is a core participant in Module 2C of the Inquiry relating to Core UK Decision-making and Political Governance – Northern Ireland Preliminary Hearings. These hearings will take place in Belfast from 30 April to 24 May 2024 and are open to the public to attend.  Further information about the Inquiry can be found here.

You can contact the Commissioner’s office via email or by calling 028 9089 0892.

All job vacancies are available here.