When I get older . .
Una D'Arcy
| Compliance and Development | Rural and Community Engagement | Communications and Journalism |
More than one in six people in Northern Ireland are aged 65 or over.
That's according to the latest figures published by the NI Statistics and Research Agency (Nisra), external. The over-65s made up almost 18% of the population in 2023. Longer life expectancy means there is also a growing number of people aged over 85, up from 33,300 in 2013 to 41,900 in 2023.
How is the age structure of the population changing?
Over the 25 year period (from 1998 to 2023) Northern Ireland has seen changes in the proportion of the population in key age groups. The proportion of the population aged 65 and over has experienced the largest increase over the 25 year period, with a distinct accelerated growth in this population occurring from mid-2007.
As a result, the proportion of the population aged 65 and over has increased by 36.4 per cent from mid-1998 to mid-2023. Conversely, the proportion of children in Northern Ireland has decreased since mid-1998 by 17.5 percent to mid-2023. The proportion of the population who are of working age (i.e. people aged 16 to 64 years) has remained relatively stable over the period.
Easilink caters for people with difficulty accessing public or private transportation, including the elderly, disabled, poor, and rural community groups.
These figures make interesting reading following on from the easilink Chief Executive sharing her concerns about the need to consider sufficient funding models for the rural transport provision in the Omagh, Strabane and Foyle areas.
Accessible, affordable, appropriate rural community transport
Claire Russell, Chief Executive of the rural transport charity, one of 11 rural community transport partnerships (RCTPs) serving the north, spoke out about concerns relating to sufficient funding to support the existing services and secure the future of rural community transport.
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In real terms, the 3.5 percent cut to funding experienced by the Charity resulted in 4,000 fewer journeys for rural communities in Omagh, Strabane and Derry.
‘We are really worried Easilink’s service is no longer sustainable’ - Claire Russell, chief executive.
Claire's experience of lobbying department officials and the minister was positive with what she describes as widespread support for the sector but there is an immediate need for good will to be accompanied by additional funding.
“Easilink already sustained a funding cut of more than 30 percent in the year 2014/15. At that stage, where we were sitting was the skeleton of where we had been previously. Now, we are really worried that our service is no longer sustainable, Claire explained.
Anywhere to Anywhere
easilink Community Transport is an independent charity managed by a voluntary Board. We provide a transport option to rural dwellers across the Omagh, Strabane & Foyle areas who have difficulty or are unable to access public transport, and who do not have access to private transport. Our team includes 22 staff and 25 volunteer car drivers, and we operate a fleet of 15 accessible minibuses.