Age Action and the Irish Senior Citizens Parliament (ISCP) have announced a strategic partnership to launch an extensive national consultation aimed at reshaping the landscape of public policy as it pertains to the aging population in Ireland. This initiative seeks to bridge the gap between decision-makers and those directly impacted by legislation, ensuring that the perspectives, experiences, and specific needs of older people are not only heard but are foundational to the development of future social and economic frameworks. By engaging a broad spectrum of stakeholders—including older individuals, community organizations, and policy advocates—the two organizations aim to build a robust platform for collective advocacy that can influence the highest levels of government and public administration.
To facilitate this large-scale data collection and analysis, Age Action and the ISCP have commissioned Mosaic Social Impact, a specialist consultancy focused on social research and community engagement. The consultation process is designed to be highly accessible, offering multiple avenues for participation to ensure that the "digital divide" does not prevent vulnerable or less tech-savvy individuals from contributing. Participants can engage through a comprehensive online survey or provide their feedback via a dedicated telephone line. The consultation period is scheduled to remain open until Friday, September 19, 2025, providing a significant window for data gathering and community outreach across the country’s four provinces.
The Strategic Necessity of the Consultation
The launch of this consultation comes at a pivotal moment for Ireland. For decades, advocacy groups have argued that policy regarding older people has been reactive rather than proactive. Issues such as the pension gap, the availability of home care packages, and the accessibility of public transport are often addressed in isolation rather than as part of a cohesive strategy for an aging society. By joining forces, Age Action and the ISCP are moving to consolidate the "senior voice," moving away from fragmented advocacy toward a unified front that carries greater political weight.
The primary objective is to move beyond the traditional "service-user" model, where older people are seen merely as recipients of care or state benefits. Instead, the consultation aims to frame older people as active citizens whose contributions to the economy, volunteer sector, and family structures are essential. This shift in perspective is critical as the government prepares for long-term demographic shifts that will see the proportion of the population aged over 65 increase significantly over the next two decades.
Demographic Context and the Aging Population in Ireland
Data from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) provides a stark background for the urgency of this consultation. According to the 2022 Census and subsequent population projections, Ireland is experiencing one of the fastest-growing aging populations in the European Union. While Ireland has historically had a younger profile than its continental neighbors, the number of people aged 65 and over is projected to reach nearly 1.6 million by 2051. This represents a massive increase from the roughly 776,000 recorded in 2022.
Furthermore, the "oldest old"—those aged 85 and over—is the fastest-growing demographic subgroup. This group often requires the most intensive support in terms of integrated health services and housing adaptations. However, the consultation also targets the "younger old," those in their 60s and 70s who are often navigating the transition from full-time employment to retirement and who may face challenges related to ageism in the workplace, financial planning, and maintaining social connections. The diversity within the aging population means that a "one size fits all" policy approach is no longer viable, a reality that this consultation seeks to document through granular feedback.
Key Areas of Policy Focus
The consultation is expected to cover a wide range of policy areas that intersect with the lives of older people. Based on previous advocacy work by Age Action and the ISCP, several key themes are likely to emerge as priorities for the respondents:
1. Income Security and the Cost of Living
With inflation impacting essential goods such as energy and food, the adequacy of the State Pension remains a central concern. Advocates have long called for the benchmarking of the pension to a percentage of average earnings to ensure a dignified standard of living. The consultation will likely gather data on how the rising cost of living is specifically affecting older households, many of which live on fixed incomes.
2. Housing and "Rightsizing"
There is a growing need for a national strategy on housing for older people that goes beyond nursing home care. This includes support for "aging in place," where homes are modified to meet changing mobility needs, and "rightsizing," where older people are encouraged and supported to move to smaller, more energy-efficient homes within their own communities. The lack of suitable, smaller housing units in many Irish towns is a significant barrier that this consultation aims to highlight.
3. Healthcare and Sláintecare Integration
The transition to the Sláintecare model—a plan for a universal, single-tier healthcare system in Ireland—is of paramount importance to older citizens. Issues such as the wait times for home care packages, the recruitment of healthcare assistants, and the integration of primary care services are expected to be major points of feedback. The consultation seeks to understand the lived experience of navigating the current healthcare system and where the most significant gaps in service delivery exist.
4. Digital Inclusion and Essential Services
As banks, government agencies, and utility companies move toward "digital-first" or "digital-only" service models, a significant portion of the older population is at risk of exclusion. While many older people are tech-savvy, a substantial minority lacks the hardware, internet access, or skills to manage their affairs online. The consultation will explore the impact of the withdrawal of in-person services and the closure of local bank branches and post offices.
The Role of Mosaic Social Impact
By recruiting Mosaic Social Impact to manage the consultation, Age Action and the ISCP are ensuring a level of professional rigor and objectivity in the data collection process. Mosaic Social Impact specializes in gathering qualitative and quantitative data from hard-to-reach groups. Their methodology for this project includes an online portal for ease of access and a dedicated telephone response line (01 203 0737) to accommodate those without internet access.
The use of an external consultant also ensures that the final report will be viewed as an independent evidence base by government departments. This data will be used to create a roadmap for policy reform, providing legislators with a clear understanding of the priorities of the older generation. The consultation is not merely a "listening exercise" but a structured attempt to create an evidentiary foundation for future lobbying efforts and budget submissions.
Timeline and Participation Details
The consultation process follows a structured timeline designed to maximize engagement across different sectors of society.
- Launch Phase: The initial rollout involves reaching out to community groups, Day Care Centres, Active Retirement Associations, and Men’s Sheds to spread awareness of the survey.
- Engagement Phase: Running through the remainder of 2024 and into late 2025, this phase focuses on data collection via the online link and the telephone service.
- Closing Date: The survey will officially close on Friday, September 19, 2025.
- Analysis and Reporting: Following the closing date, Mosaic Social Impact will analyze the findings, with a comprehensive report expected to be published in late 2025 or early 2026.
Age Action and the ISCP have emphasized that the survey is "quick and easy to complete," designed to respect the time of the participants while still capturing the necessary depth of information. They have extended the invitation not just to older people themselves, but to anyone with an interest in the future of aging in Ireland, recognizing that today’s younger workers are the older people of tomorrow.
Broader Implications for Irish Society
The outcome of this consultation has the potential to influence a wide array of legislative agendas. In the context of the UN Principles for Older Persons—which focus on independence, participation, care, self-fulfillment, and dignity—Ireland has often been criticized for lacking a comprehensive, legally-binding framework to protect the rights of its senior citizens.
Furthermore, the "Silver Economy" is becoming an increasingly important factor in national economic planning. Older people are significant consumers, volunteers, and providers of childcare within the family unit. Ensuring they remain healthy, financially secure, and socially integrated is not just a matter of social justice but an economic necessity. If the consultation can successfully identify the barriers preventing older people from fully participating in society, it could lead to policies that unlock significant social and economic value.
The collaboration between Age Action and the ISCP also signals a maturing of the NGO sector in Ireland. By pooling resources and expertise, these organizations are better positioned to challenge ageist stereotypes and advocate for systemic change. The results of this consultation are expected to form the basis of their joint advocacy for the General Election cycles and future National Budgets.
Conclusion and Call to Action
As the consultation remains open until September 2025, the organizers are urging all eligible participants to make their voices heard. The data collected will serve as a vital tool for holding the government accountable and ensuring that the "National Positive Ageing Strategy" is more than just a document on a shelf, but a lived reality for every person in Ireland.
Interested parties can access the survey through the official consultation portal at https://www.mosaicsocialimpact.ie/consultation. For those who prefer verbal communication or who may require assistance in completing the survey, the telephone line at 01 203 0737 is staffed and ready to accept responses. Through this collective effort, Age Action and the Irish Senior Citizens Parliament aim to ensure that as Ireland grows older, it also grows better at supporting and valuing its senior citizens.
