WRITTEN QUESTION E-1742/03

by Roberta Angelilli (UEN) to the Commission

(26 May 2003)

Subject: Programmes for senior citizens

Over the next few years the problem of the progressive ageing of the EU's population will in particular affect Italy, which has one of the world's lowest birth rates and which is also likely to suffer from the budgetary point of view. It is forecast that, by 2020, 37 % of the EU's population will be over 60 years of age.

Specific action therefore needs to be taken in order to integrate older people into society in such a way that they are able to work beyond the current retirement age, thanks to the availability of training at every stage of their working lives.

However, although the EU institutions have long been engaged in action to combat discrimination against, and the marginalisation of, the elderly and the disabled, specific programmes designed to counter such tendencies have yet to be implemented, despite the fact that Article 25 of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights and Articles 13, 136 and 137 of the EC Treaty indicate that priority is to be given to enabling those categories of people to play a full role in cultural life and in the life of society.

In view of the above, would the Commission answer the following questions:

1. What action is to be taken for the benefit of older people?

2. Are there any examples of good practice on the part of individual EU Member States?

3. Can the Commission provide an overview of the situation?

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(10 July 2003)

Member States have committed to collaboration on ageing issues in the context of sound public finances, employment, social protection and health care while maintaining these as national policies. The Union's response to ageing(1) is developed as part of the overall strategy of mutually reinforcing policies launched at Lisbon and elaborated at subsequent European Council meetings. The Union approach aims at mobilising the full potential of people of all ages. This results in an orientation towards active ageing policies. Core active ageing practices include life long learning, working longer, retiring later, being active after retirement and engaging in capacity enhancing and health sustaining activities. Such practices aim to raise the average quality of individual lives and at the same time, at societal level, contribute to larger growth, lower dependency burdens and substantial cost savings in pensions and health.

Extending working life by improving the incentives and opportunities for older workers is a priority in the European Employment Strategy and the European strategy for adequate and sustainable pensions. Under the Open Method of Coordination on poverty and social exclusion the position of older people

is fully taken into account and this is reflected in the National Action Plans and the Joint Report on Social Inclusion(2). Recent policy initiatives include: the adoption of a specific employment guideline on active ageing from 2001; the 50 % employment rate target by 2010 for workers aged 55-64 agreed at the 2001 Stockholm European Council; the pension objectives agreed at the Laeken European Council 2001; the Joint Report on labour-force participation and active ageing (2002); the 2002 Barcelona European Council agreement to raise the age at which people stop working by five years by 2010 and the Commission's decision to introduce a new structural indicator on the average effective exit age in the 2003 synthesis report.

The EUR 100 million Community Action Programme to combat Discrimination (2001-2006) deals with aspects of age discrimination. It currently contributes over 85 % of the running costs of the European Platform of Older People's Organisations (AGE) and supports a large number of studies, projects and awareness raising initiatives which either focus on age discrimination or include it in their scope. The EUR 75 million Community Action Programme on Social Inclusion (2002-2006) offers support for the exchange of learning and best practice between Member States in relevant areas, including policies and programmes that enhance the inclusion of older people.

The Joint Commission/Council Reports on adequate and sustainable pensions(3) and on health care and care for the elderly(4), which were presented to the European Spring Council in Brussels in 2003, depict how Member States in two crucial policy areas are dealing with the wider social and work life related implications of ageing through mutually reinforcing employment, social protection and economic policies. These reports as well as the Joint Report on Social Inclusion(5) highlight some examples of good practices.

(1) COM(2002) 143 final.

(2) Council of the European Union 15223/01.

(3) Council of the European Union 7165/03.

(4) Council of the European Union 7166/03.

(5) Council of the European Union 15223/01.