Cap. 553 Art. 8Temporary appointment of Commissioner.

(1) The Prime Minister may, at any time during the illness or absence of the Commissioner or for any other temporary cause, appoint a substitute until the resumption of office of the Commissioner.

(2) A person shall not be qualified to be appointed under this article if such person is disqualified to be appointed to the office of older persons, and the need to safeguard those rights and interests;

(b) to promote opportunities for, and the elimination of discrimination against, older persons;

(c) to encourage best practices in the treatment of older persons;

(d) to keep under review the adequacy and effectiveness of any legislation relating and affecting the interests of older persons;

(e) to advocate for adequate support and services to carers of the older persons;

(f) to monitor and examine the impact of any decision taken by any body, entity or authority on the human rights and interests of older persons;

(g) to promote the protection of older persons from any kind of abuse, harm, ill-treatment, neglect and exploitation of any form;

(h) to promote the highest standards of health, education, leisure, recreational facilities and social services for older persons in line with the relative approved standards in place from time to time;

(i) to ensure that all possible measures are taken by the relevant authorities to prevent and address poverty and social exclusion and related issues among older persons; and

(j) to promote compliance with the United Nations Principles for Older Persons adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations on 16 December 1991, the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing adopted by the United Nations during the Second World Assembly on Ageing (8-12 April 2002), and with such other international treaties, conventions or agreements relating to older persons as are or may be ratified or otherwise acceded to by Malta.

(2) The Commissioner may issue guidelines on best practices in connection with any matter relating to the interests of older persons and in doing so the Commissioner may carry out any consultation which may be required or necessary.