Age Action and Fianna Fáil have expressed surprise at the Government’s decision not to appoint a junior minister with responsibility for older people.
The advocacy group said it was the first time in 14 years that someone had not been appointed to the position and that the decision was “difficult to understand” given the challenges facing policy makers because of the State’s ageing population.
Fianna Fáil TD Niall Collins said older people deserved representation having "given so much to our country".
By 2050, it is expected that 29 per cent of the State's population will be aged over 60, according to the Centre for Ageing Research and Development in Ireland (Cardi).
Áine Brady, who lost her seat in Kildare North in the general election, served as minister of state for older people in the last government.
Age Action spokesman Eamon Timmins said a minister for older people was essential to steer key elements of policy through, such as the National Positive Ageing Strategy, which the programme for government commits to implementing.
"The failure to appoint a minister with responsibility for this area places a major question mark over how much of the age-related policies in the programme for government will be delivered," Mr Timmins said.
"At a time when other countries are getting to grips with the challenges of ageing, today's decision defies logic. It does not inspire confidence that the new government will address ageing issues in a joined-up, comprehensive fashion."
Older and Bolder, an alliance of eight non-governmental organisations in the ageing sector, said a minister was needed to drive forward the strong agenda for older people contained in the programme for government.
"We in Older and Bolder hope that this issue can be rectified by the explicit assignment of the Older People's brief to a Minister in the coming days," the group said.
Mr Collins said the move made it appear as if the coalition was ignoring the needs of older people.
"I believe it is a mistake and one that the Taoiseach and his Government should recognise and rectify at its next cabinet meeting," he said.
