Age Action and the Irish Senior Citizens Parliament (ISCP) have announced a major joint initiative aimed at restructuring how older people engage with and influence public policy in Ireland. This nationwide consultation seeks to identify the barriers preventing older citizens from participating in the democratic process and to develop a more robust framework for ensuring their perspectives are central to government decision-making. By partnering with Mosaic Social Impact, a specialist consultancy, the two leading advocacy groups intend to gather comprehensive data from older people, community organizations, and healthcare advocates to shape a future where aging is met with dignity, inclusion, and political representation.
The consultation comes at a pivotal moment for Irish society, as demographic shifts indicate a rapidly aging population that requires proactive policy adjustments. The organizers have emphasized that the initiative is not merely a data-gathering exercise but a foundational step toward building a permanent, more powerful voice for older people in the halls of power. The survey is designed to be accessible to a wide demographic, offering both digital and telephone-based submission methods to ensure that those affected by the digital divide are not excluded from the conversation.
Strategic Partnership and the Role of Mosaic Social Impact
The collaboration between Age Action and the ISCP represents a unification of two of Ireland’s most influential advocates for the elderly. Age Action, established in 1992, has long been a leading voice on issues ranging from pension reform to digital literacy. The ISCP, acting as a representative body for senior citizens’ organizations across the country, brings a grassroots perspective that reflects the diverse needs of retirees and older workers.
To ensure the integrity and objectivity of the consultation, the organizations have recruited Mosaic Social Impact to manage the data collection and analysis. Mosaic Social Impact specializes in measuring social value and conducting high-stakes stakeholder engagements. Their involvement suggests a rigorous methodological approach, intended to produce high-quality evidence that can be presented to government ministers and policy-makers. By utilizing a third-party consultant, the initiative aims to provide an unbiased assessment of the current state of advocacy and the specific areas where older people feel their voices are being ignored.
Demographic Drivers: The Urgency of Policy Reform
The necessity of this consultation is underscored by recent data from the Central Statistics Office (CSO). According to the 2022 Census, the number of people aged 65 and over in Ireland has increased by 22% since 2016, reaching over 776,500 individuals. This demographic now accounts for approximately 15% of the total population, a figure that is projected to rise significantly over the next two decades. By 2040, it is estimated that one in four people in Ireland will be over the age of 65.
This "longevity revolution" presents both challenges and opportunities. While increased life expectancy is a triumph of public health and social progress, it necessitates a radical rethinking of urban planning, healthcare delivery, and economic structures. Current policy frameworks, such as the National Positive Ageing Strategy, have been criticized by some advocates for a lack of implementation and funding. The Age Action and ISCP consultation seeks to bridge the gap between theoretical strategy and the lived experience of older citizens, ensuring that the "longevity dividend"—the social and economic contributions of older people—is fully realized.
Key Focus Areas of the Consultation
While the survey is broad in scope, several critical policy areas are expected to dominate the feedback from participants. These themes reflect the primary concerns raised by older people in Ireland over the past decade:
1. Healthcare and Home Care Support
The transition toward the Sláintecare model remains a primary concern. Older people are often the most frequent users of healthcare services, yet many report difficulties navigating the system, long waiting lists for elective surgeries, and a chronic shortage of home care hours. The consultation will likely highlight the need for a statutory right to home care, allowing individuals to age in their own homes rather than in institutional settings.
2. Economic Security and Pension Reform
With the cost of living remaining a central issue in Irish politics, the adequacy of the State Pension is a recurring theme. Advocates argue that the pension should be benchmarked against average earnings to prevent older people from falling into poverty. Furthermore, the mandatory retirement age remains a point of contention for those who wish to remain in the workforce, contributing their skills and experience beyond the age of 65.
3. The Digital Divide and Access to Services
As more public and private services—including banking and government applications—move online, a significant portion of the older population faces "digital exclusion." The consultation will explore how policy can ensure that those who are not online can still access essential services via telephone or in-person interactions. This issue is particularly acute in rural areas where post office and bank branch closures have left older residents isolated.
4. Housing and Universal Design
The current housing crisis in Ireland also affects older people, particularly those living in large, energy-inefficient homes that no longer meet their physical needs. There is a growing demand for "right-sizing" options—purpose-built, universally designed housing located within existing communities. The survey seeks to understand what barriers prevent older people from moving to more suitable accommodation and how policy can facilitate these transitions.
Chronology of Advocacy and Future Milestones
The launch of this consultation is the latest step in a long timeline of advocacy for older people in Ireland. To understand the significance of this event, it is helpful to view it within the context of recent developments:
- 2013: The launch of the National Positive Ageing Strategy, which provided a blueprint for making Ireland a better place to grow old.
- 2020-2022: The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the vulnerabilities of older people, particularly those in nursing homes, and sparked a national conversation about the value placed on the lives of senior citizens.
- 2023: Age Action and other groups successfully campaigned for cost-of-living supports in the national budget, though they noted that one-off payments do not address systemic issues.
- Late 2024: The partnership with Mosaic Social Impact is formalized, and the consultation is launched to the public.
- September 19, 2025: The deadline for submissions. This extended period is intended to allow for deep engagement and to reach those in remote or marginalized communities.
- Late 2025 / Early 2026: Analysis of the data and the publication of a comprehensive report. This report is expected to serve as a manifesto for older people ahead of future general elections.
Implications for Public Life and Governance
The long-term goal of the Age Action and ISCP initiative is to move away from a "top-down" approach to policy-making. For too long, decisions regarding the lives of older people have been made by younger bureaucrats and politicians without direct consultation with the demographic in question. This initiative champions the principle of "nothing about us without us," a mantra common in disability and minority rights advocacy that is now being vigorously applied to the aging population.
If successful, the consultation could lead to the establishment of more formal mechanisms for representation, such as a dedicated Citizens’ Assembly on Ageing or a more powerful Commissioner for Older People, similar to the roles that exist for children and young people. By quantifying the needs and desires of older citizens, Age Action and the ISCP are providing the government with a roadmap for social cohesion.
Furthermore, the initiative has significant implications for the political landscape. Older people are statistically the most likely demographic to vote in local and national elections. By organizing this cohort and articulating a clear set of policy demands, the advocacy groups are signaling to all political parties that the "grey vote" cannot be taken for granted. Future manifestos will likely be judged on their alignment with the findings of this consultation.
How to Participate and Contact Information
The organizers have made the consultation process as straightforward as possible to encourage maximum participation. The survey is open to older people themselves, as well as their family members, professional caregivers, and community leaders who work within the sector.
Submissions can be made online through the dedicated portal hosted by Mosaic Social Impact at the following address: https://www.mosaicsocialimpact.ie/consultation.
Recognizing that digital access is a barrier for many, a telephone option has been established. Individuals can submit their responses or request further information by contacting Mosaic Social Impact directly at 01 203 0737.
The survey will remain open until Friday, 19 September 2025. This long window reflects the organizations’ commitment to reaching as many voices as possible, including those in nursing homes, rural social clubs, and active retirement associations across the country.
The results of this consultation are expected to form the backbone of a new era of advocacy in Ireland—one where the experience, wisdom, and rights of older people are not just acknowledged but are foundational to the nation’s social and political identity. As the population continues to age, the success of such initiatives will determine whether Ireland becomes a truly inclusive society for people of all ages.
