Older people have been subjected to "ageism and stigmatisation" during the pandemic, an Oireachtas Committee has heard. Age-based response measures such as cocooning had a "huge negative impact" on mental health, Age Action said.
The charity says that the damage was exacerbated by those Covid measures being introduced without older people being consulted.
Celine Clarke, Head of Advocacy and Communications at Age Action, said the United Nations had found that while older people have become highly visible during the pandemic, their voices and concerns have gone unheard.
Ms Clarke was addressing the Sub-Committee on Mental Health, which is examining the services provided to older people and the demands made on them by the impact of Covid-19.