A conference based on legal rights for the elderly is underway at NUI Galway.

Key legal and policy issues will be discussed - including the role of advocacy in upholding the rights of older people and the fair deal scheme.

Age discrimination and the mandatory retirement age will also be up for discussion.

The event has been organised by the Mental Health Rights Group and the Employment Law Association of Ireland (ELAI).

Mary Keys is a law lecturer at NUI Galway.

She says barristers need to equip themselves with the right tools to deal with legal issues surrounding the elderly in Ireland.