Age Action, Ireland’s leading advocacy organization for older people, has issued a stark warning to the nation’s political leadership, asserting that current party manifestos fail to adequately prepare for a looming "demographic transition." As Ireland approaches the 2025-2029 government term, Dr. Nat O’Connor, Age Action’s Senior Policy Adviser, has highlighted a significant gap between the projected growth of the older population and the public services currently available or planned. With over 1.1 million people in Ireland already aged 60 or older, the organization is calling for an immediate, all-of-government strategy to address the social, economic, and healthcare needs of a rapidly ageing society.
According to data presented by Dr. O’Connor, the next five years will see an additional 135,000 people enter the 60-plus demographic, including 47,000 people who will be aged 80 or older. Looking further ahead to 2044, the projections become even more pronounced, with an estimated increase of 757,000 people aged 60 and older, and 252,000 more people aged 80 and older compared to current figures. Age Action contends that the political system is currently failing to meet these challenges, noting that while ageing is mentioned in most party platforms, the proposed measures lack the urgency and comprehensiveness required to build the necessary infrastructure, such as hospitals and specialized care facilities, which take years to develop.
The Ten Pillars of the Age Action Election Manifesto
To bridge the gap between current policy and future needs, Age Action has outlined ten specific "asks" for the upcoming general election. These proposals range from structural administrative changes to legislative reforms aimed at securing financial dignity and social inclusion for older citizens.
1. Establishment of a Commissioner for Ageing and Older Persons
A central demand is the appointment of an independent Commissioner for Ageing and Older Persons, modeled after successful offices in Northern Ireland and Wales. This Commissioner would be supported by a legal framework and an independent budget. The role would serve as a watchdog and advocate, ensuring that the rights of older people are protected and that government policies remain focused on the demographic transition. Age Action notes that many older persons currently feel "left out and ignored" in political processes, and a dedicated office would provide a much-needed voice within the state apparatus.
2. Benchmarking and Indexing the State Pension
The organization is calling for a law to benchmark and index the State Pension, ensuring it remains at a rate equal to at least 34% of total average earnings. Currently, the spending power of the State Pension has been significantly eroded by the cost-of-living crisis and high inflation. Age Action argues that older people require certainty, as they often have no means to supplement their income once they have retired. Indexation would remove the uncertainty of annual budget negotiations and guarantee that the pension keeps pace with the broader economy.
3. Abolishing Mandatory Retirement
Age Action advocates for the total abolition of mandatory retirement practices. Currently, many employment contracts in Ireland force employees to retire at 65, despite the state pension age being 66 (and previously proposed to rise higher). The organization views mandatory retirement as a form of legally permitted age discrimination and argues that individuals should have the option to remain in or re-enter the workforce as long as they are capable and willing.
4. A Comprehensive National Ageing Strategy
Rather than piecemeal policies spread across different departments, Age Action demands a unified, all-of-government national ageing strategy. This would require implementation plans from every state agency, aimed at eradicating ageism and ensuring that every sector—from transport to urban planning—is prepared for a society with a higher proportion of older residents.
5. Universal and Accessible Healthcare
The manifesto emphasizes the need for a healthcare system that is fully universal, tax-funded, and free at the point of use. While the Sláintecare reform program has made strides in this direction, Age Action highlights that older people still face significant barriers to access, including long wait times and high costs for certain services. A robust healthcare system is viewed as essential to managing the needs of the 252,000 additional people over 80 expected by 2044.
6. Energy Guarantee for Older Persons
In response to the climate crisis and energy poverty, Age Action proposes an "Energy Guarantee" payment. This targeted support would assist older people living in poorly insulated homes or on lower incomes. The organization frames this as a matter of "climate justice," ensuring that the transition to a greener economy does not leave vulnerable seniors unable to afford basic heating and electricity.
7. Ending ‘Digital Only’ Service Models
As more government and private services migrate to online platforms, a significant portion of the older population risks being excluded. Age Action calls for a prohibition on "digital only" services, demanding that traditional alternatives like telephone and over-the-counter desk services remain adequately resourced. They also advocate for state-funded digital skills training to help those who wish to transition to digital platforms, ensuring a rights-based approach to service access.
8. Human Rights-Based Care Strategy
The organization is pushing for a care strategy that moves beyond the current fragmented system. They advocate for a human rights-based approach that expands and harmonizes care options, ensuring that whether a person receives care at home or in a residential setting, their dignity and autonomy are preserved.
9. Supporting ‘Ageing in Place’ and Universal Design
Most older people express a preference for "ageing in place"—staying in their own homes and communities for as long as possible. Age Action calls for stronger protections for older renters and the strict enforcement of universal design principles for all new residential builds. This would ensure that housing is physically accessible and adaptable to the changing needs of residents as they age.
10. Support for a UN Convention on the Rights of Older Persons
On the international stage, Age Action is urging the Irish government to support the introduction of a UN Convention on the Rights of Older Persons. This would clarify the human rights obligations of states toward older people and fill existing gaps in international law that currently leave older populations vulnerable to neglect and discrimination.
Demographic Context and Chronology of the Transition
The urgency of Age Action’s demands is rooted in the specific timeline of Ireland’s demographic shift. Ireland has historically had a younger population compared to its European neighbors, but this is changing rapidly.
In the 2022 Census, the number of people aged 65 and over showed a significant increase of 22% since 2016. The projections cited by Dr. O’Connor indicate that this trend is not a temporary spike but a permanent structural change. Between 2025 and 2029, the period of the next Dáil, the entry of 135,000 more people into the 60-plus bracket will place immediate pressure on the Fair Deal scheme, home care packages, and acute hospital bed capacity.
The timeline for infrastructure development is a primary concern. On average, it takes between seven to ten years to plan, fund, and construct a major new hospital or significant residential care facility in Ireland. Similarly, the recruitment and training of healthcare professionals—nurses, geriatricians, and home care workers—requires a long-term pipeline. Age Action argues that if the government elected in 2025 does not begin these projects immediately, the state will be unable to meet the needs of the 757,000 additional seniors expected by 2044.
Economic Implications and Poverty Risks
The call for pension indexing is backed by data suggesting a growing risk of poverty among the elderly. According to recent Survey on Income and Living Conditions (SILC) data, older people living alone are among the groups at the highest risk of poverty and social exclusion in Ireland.
While the "headline" rate of the State Pension has seen modest increases in recent budgets, these have largely been "ad-hoc" and have not kept pace with the cumulative effect of inflation on essentials like food and fuel. By benchmarking the pension to 34% of average earnings, the state would effectively tie the standard of living for retirees to the prosperity of the working population, preventing the widening of the wealth gap between generations.
Furthermore, the issue of mandatory retirement has significant economic implications. By forcing capable workers out of the economy at 65, the state loses tax revenue and expertise while simultaneously increasing the pension draw. Abolishing this practice is seen as a "win-win" for the economy and for the individual’s right to work.
Analysis of Political Manifestos and Future Outlook
Age Action’s review of the manifestos of the six major political parties suggests a lack of cohesive planning. While most parties acknowledge the "silver surge," the organization finds that few offer a roadmap that integrates housing, health, and income support into a single strategy.
The likelihood of a multi-party coalition government following the 2025 election makes the demand for a "comprehensive, all-of-government ageing strategy" even more critical. Age Action is urging all parties to make a formal commitment to this strategy during their campaigns, ensuring that regardless of the coalition makeup, the needs of older persons are prioritized in the next Programme for Government.
Dr. O’Connor’s conclusion serves as a call to action for both voters and politicians: "Ireland does not have the public services to meet their needs… The political system is currently failing to prepare for the demographic transition." As the election cycle begins, the focus will now shift to whether the major parties will adopt the Ten Asks and provide the "certainty in older age" that Age Action argues is a fundamental right for all citizens.
