Ireland is on the precipice of a seismic demographic shift that the current political landscape is ill-equipped to manage, according to a stark warning issued by Age Action, the leading advocacy organization for older persons. Dr. Nat O’Connor, Senior Policy Adviser at Age Action, has highlighted a critical gap between the rapid growth of the country’s older population and the lack of comprehensive planning within the manifestos of Ireland’s major political parties. As the nation prepares for the 2025-2029 government term, the organization warns that the failure to prioritize infrastructure, healthcare, and social protections for an ageing demographic constitutes a significant failure of the political system.
According to the latest projections, Ireland currently has over 1.1 million people aged 60 or older. This figure is set to rise sharply during the lifetime of the next government, with an estimated 135,000 additional people entering this age bracket by 2029. Crucially, this includes an extra 47,000 individuals aged 80 and older, a cohort that typically requires more intensive health and social care services. Despite these looming statistics, Age Action contends that none of the political parties seeking election have presented a strategy that sufficiently addresses the scale of the transition.
The Long-Term Demographic Projection: 2024 to 2044
The immediate concerns for the next five years are only a precursor to a much larger transformation over the coming two decades. By 2044, the number of people aged 60 and older in Ireland is projected to increase by 757,000, bringing the total to nearly 1.9 million. Within that group, the population of those aged 80 and older will surge by 252,000. This demographic trajectory is not merely a statistical curiosity but a fundamental shift in the structure of Irish society that will place unprecedented pressure on public services.
Dr. O’Connor noted that the timeframe for developing the necessary infrastructure is at odds with the current pace of political decision-making. Building hospitals, expanding primary care centers, and recruiting a sustainable workforce of healthcare professionals are processes that take decades, not years. The advocacy group argues that the political system’s lack of urgency suggests a reactive rather than proactive approach, which could lead to a collapse in service standards as the population ages. While many parties mention ageing in their manifestos, Age Action describes these inclusions as superficial, lacking the "comprehensive, all-of-government" approach required to meet the challenge.
A Call for Structural Governance: The Commissioner for Ageing
A central pillar of Age Action’s demands is the establishment of a Commissioner for Ageing and Older Persons. This proposed office would be modeled after similar successful roles in Northern Ireland and Wales. The Commissioner would serve as an independent watchdog and advocate, ensuring that the rights of older people are protected and that government policy remains focused on demographic shifts.
Currently, Ireland lacks a dedicated state body or office responsible for the oversight of ageing affairs. This has led to a fragmented approach where different departments—Health, Social Protection, and Housing—operate in silos. A Commissioner, backed by a legal framework and an independent budget, would be tasked with "proofing" all government legislation to ensure it does not disadvantage older citizens. This proposal has seen widespread support among older populations who frequently report feeling marginalized or ignored in the national political discourse.
Economic Security and the State Pension Crisis
The economic viability of growing old in Ireland is a primary concern for Age Action, particularly in the wake of the recent cost-of-living crisis. High inflation has significantly eroded the purchasing power of the State Pension, pushing many older individuals toward or below the poverty line. Unlike the working-age population, older people often have limited or no opportunities to supplement their income through employment, making them uniquely vulnerable to price fluctuations in essential goods, heating, and healthcare.
To provide certainty and dignity in retirement, Age Action is calling for a legislative mandate to benchmark and index the State Pension. Specifically, the group proposes that the pension rate should be legally fixed at a minimum of 34% of total average earnings. This benchmarking is already standard practice in many other European nations and is seen as the "bedrock" of income security. By indexing the pension to wages and inflation, the state would ensure that older persons do not see their standard of living decline relative to the rest of society.
Labor Market Reform and the End of Mandatory Retirement
In addition to financial security, Age Action is advocating for the right of older people to remain active participants in the workforce. The organization is calling for the abolition of mandatory retirement ages, which it describes as a "prevalent ageist practice." Currently, many contracts in both the public and private sectors force employees to retire at 65, despite the state pension age being 66 (and potentially rising in the future).
The group argues that removing these legal barriers is a necessary step toward eliminating age discrimination. By allowing individuals to choose when they retire, the state can benefit from the experience of older workers while simultaneously addressing labor shortages in various sectors. This shift would align Ireland with international trends toward more flexible career paths and "active ageing" models.
The Digital Divide and Access to Services
One of the most modern challenges facing Ireland’s older population is the rapid "digitalization" of essential services. From banking to government grants and health appointments, there is an increasing trend toward "digital-only" or "digital-first" service delivery. Age Action warns that this trend risks excluding a significant portion of the population who may lack digital literacy or access to the necessary technology.
The organization’s manifesto includes a demand to prohibit digital-only services for publicly funded entities. Instead, they advocate for a "rights-based approach" that guarantees access via traditional methods, such as telephone or in-person desk services. While they support funding for digital skills training, they insist that technology should be an additional option rather than a mandatory requirement for interacting with the state.
Climate Justice and the Energy Guarantee
As Ireland transitions toward a greener economy, Age Action has raised concerns regarding the impact of climate policies on older people. Many older citizens live in older, poorly insulated homes that are expensive to heat and difficult to retrofit. To address this, the group proposes an "Energy Guarantee for Older Persons."
This payment would be targeted at those on lower incomes and those living in energy-inefficient housing. The proposal is framed as a matter of "climate justice," ensuring that the most vulnerable members of society are not left behind or pushed into energy poverty by rising carbon taxes or the costs of the green transition.
Housing and Ageing in Place
The Irish housing crisis is often discussed in the context of young first-time buyers, but Age Action highlights its devastating impact on older renters. With a growing number of people reaching retirement age while still in the private rental sector, there is an urgent need for increased protections and the provision of age-appropriate social housing.
The group is calling for the enforcement of "universal design principles" for all new residential builds, ensuring that homes are accessible for people with varying levels of mobility. This would facilitate "ageing in place," allowing individuals to remain in their own homes and communities for as long as possible, which is widely considered to result in better health outcomes and reduced pressure on nursing home facilities.
Global Context and the UN Convention
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. Advocates argue that existing human rights frameworks often fail to address the specific forms of discrimination and vulnerability faced by the elderly. A dedicated UN convention would clarify the obligations of states to protect the rights of older people, providing a global standard for dignity, care, and participation.
Conclusion: The Need for an All-of-Government Strategy
The central message from Dr. Nat O’Connor and Age Action is that the "demographic transition" is not a future problem, but a present reality that requires immediate legislative action. The group’s "ten asks" represent a roadmap for a society that values its older members and prepares for the logistical challenges of an ageing population.
As the general election approaches, the likelihood of a multi-party coalition government remains high. Age Action is calling on all political parties to commit to a comprehensive, all-of-government national ageing strategy. Such a strategy would require every state agency to implement specific plans to eradicate ageism and prepare for the 2044 projections. Without this commitment, the organization warns that Ireland faces a future of fragmented services, economic insecurity for the elderly, and a failure to uphold the fundamental rights of a significant and growing portion of its citizens.
