In a significant move to reshape the landscape of civic engagement for Ireland’s aging population, Age Action and the Irish Senior Citizens Parliament (ISCP) have announced the launch of a comprehensive national consultation process. This initiative is designed to explore new mechanisms for building a stronger, more cohesive voice for older individuals within the realm of public policy. By seeking direct input from the public, the two leading advocacy organizations aim to ensure that the perspectives of those aged 65 and over are not merely heard but are systematically integrated into the decision-making processes that govern healthcare, housing, social protection, and community life.
The consultation comes at a pivotal moment for Irish society, which is undergoing a rapid demographic transition. As the number of older people continues to rise, the need for robust advocacy structures has never been more pressing. Age Action and the ISCP have emphasized that this project is not just about identifying current challenges, but about co-creating a future where aging is viewed through the lens of opportunity and rights rather than deficit and dependency. To ensure the highest standards of objectivity and reach, the organizations have recruited Mosaic Social Impact, a specialist consultancy, to manage the data collection and analysis phases of the project.
The Framework of the Consultation
The core objective of this consultation is to identify the barriers that currently prevent older people from participating fully in public life and to propose structural solutions to overcome them. The partnership between Age Action and the ISCP represents a unification of two of Ireland’s most influential voices for the elderly. Age Action, established in 1992, has long been a champion for the rights of older people, focusing on policy reform and service delivery. The ISCP, acting as an umbrella organization for hundreds of affiliated groups, provides a grassroots democratic structure that represents the collective interests of senior citizens across the country.
The consultation is open to a broad spectrum of participants, including older people themselves, community organizations, professional advocates, and any individuals with a vested interest in the evolution of aging policy. However, the organizers have issued a specific call for as many older people as possible to share their lived experiences. The feedback gathered will form the basis of a strategic roadmap intended to influence the Irish government’s approach to the "National Positive Ageing Strategy" and other relevant legislative frameworks.
Participants can engage with the process through a dedicated online survey hosted by Mosaic Social Impact. Recognizing that digital exclusion remains a significant hurdle for many older citizens, the consultation has been designed with accessibility at its forefront. In addition to the digital platform, a dedicated telephone response line has been established, allowing individuals to provide their input through direct conversation. This multi-channel approach is intended to ensure that the "digital divide" does not silence the very voices the project seeks to amplify.
Demographic Context and the Urgency for Reform
The urgency of this consultation is underscored by data from the Central Statistics Office (CSO). According to the 2022 Census, there are now more than 776,000 people aged 65 and over in Ireland, representing a 19% increase since 2016. Projections suggest that by 2051, this cohort could grow to nearly 1.6 million people. As the population ages, the social contract—the unwritten agreement between generations and the state—requires recalibration.
Current public policy often struggles to keep pace with these demographic shifts. Issues such as the "pension gap," the lack of age-appropriate housing (often referred to as "right-sizing"), and the centralization of health services have created a landscape where many older people feel marginalized. Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted significant vulnerabilities in how the state communicates with and protects older citizens, often defaulting to "cocooning" measures that, while intended to protect, also led to social isolation and a sense of disenfranchisement.
By launching this consultation, Age Action and the ISCP are asserting that older people are not a monolithic group but a diverse demographic with varying needs, ranging from those in active employment and high-level volunteering to those requiring intensive social care. The data collected will help segment these needs, allowing for more nuanced policy recommendations that move beyond one-size-fits-all solutions.
Chronology of Advocacy and Policy Development
The path toward the current consultation is rooted in several decades of advocacy and legislative milestones in Ireland. Understanding this timeline is essential for contextualizing the current initiative:
- 1992: Foundation of Age Action, marking a shift toward rights-based advocacy for older people.
- 1995: The establishment of the Irish Senior Citizens Parliament, providing a structured democratic forum for older people’s organizations.
- 2013: The publication of the National Positive Ageing Strategy (NPAS). While hailed as a landmark document, advocates have frequently criticized the lack of a dedicated budget and implementation plan for the strategy.
- 2019: The launch of the "Housing Options for Our Ageing Population" policy by the Department of Housing and the Department of Health, acknowledging the link between housing and health outcomes.
- 2021-2022: The Commission on Pensions conducted a major review of the sustainability of the State Pension, sparking nationwide debate on retirement ages and social insurance contributions.
- 2024: The current partnership between Age Action and the ISCP is formalized to address the perceived "stagnation" in policy implementation and to demand a more formal role for older people in the legislative process.
This timeline demonstrates a gradual progression from viewing older people as passive recipients of care to recognizing them as active participants in democracy. However, the current consultation signifies a belief that the existing structures are insufficient to meet the challenges of the mid-21st century.
Key Areas of Policy Focus
While the consultation is open-ended to allow for organic feedback, several key themes are expected to dominate the discourse. These areas represent the primary touchpoints where public policy intersects with the lives of older citizens:
1. Income Security and the Cost of Aging
With inflation and the rising cost of living, pension adequacy is a primary concern. The consultation will likely explore whether the State Pension is sufficient to prevent poverty and how the "silver economy" can be supported. This includes the right to work beyond the traditional retirement age without losing benefits.
2. Healthcare and Home Care Support
Ireland’s healthcare system is currently transitioning toward the Sláintecare model, which emphasizes community-based care. Older people’s voices are critical in determining how home care packages are allocated and whether the current system supports "aging in place" rather than premature entry into residential nursing care.
3. Digital Inclusion and Literacy
As government services move increasingly online—from banking to motor tax—many older people face "digital poverty." The consultation will examine how policy can protect the right to offline services while simultaneously providing the training and infrastructure needed for those who wish to engage digitally.
4. Transport and Rural Isolation
For older people in rural Ireland, the withdrawal of local transport links and the closure of post offices and banks have led to increased isolation. The consultation seeks to gather evidence on how integrated transport policies can restore independence to those who no longer drive.
Official Perspectives and Projected Impact
While formal results will not be available until after the consultation closes in September 2025, representatives from the advocacy sector have signaled that the goal is a "paradigm shift." Sources close to the project suggest that the final report will be used to lobby for a permanent, statutory "Older People’s Assembly" or a similar body that would have a formal consultative role in all new legislation, similar to how youth parliaments operate in other jurisdictions.
Mosaic Social Impact, the body tasked with managing the process, has emphasized the importance of rigorous data collection. By utilizing both qualitative (interviews and open-ended survey responses) and quantitative (statistical data) methods, the consultancy aims to produce a report that is "politically unassailable." This evidence-based approach is intended to provide the government with a clear mandate for reform.
The implications of this consultation extend beyond the elderly themselves. By creating a better environment for aging, the initiative seeks to benefit society as a whole. Effective "right-sizing" housing policies, for example, can free up larger family homes for younger generations, while improved community healthcare reduces the burden on acute hospital settings.
How to Participate
The consultation period is notably extended, remaining open until Friday, 19 September 2025. This long window is intended to allow community groups and local clubs to organize collective responses and to ensure that no one is left out due to time constraints.
Interested parties can access the survey directly via the Mosaic Social Impact consultation portal at: https://www.mosaicsocialimpact.ie/consultation.
For those who prefer to provide their feedback via telephone, Mosaic Social Impact can be reached at 01 203 0737. The organizers have assured the public that all responses will be handled with strict confidentiality and will be used solely for the purpose of informing public policy recommendations.
As Ireland moves toward the middle of the decade, the results of this consultation are expected to play a major role in the manifestos of political parties ahead of future general elections. By building a "stronger voice," Age Action and the Irish Senior Citizens Parliament are ensuring that the elders of society are not just a demographic to be managed, but a powerful constituency to be respected and heard.
