The advocacy group Age Action has issued a stark warning to Ireland’s political establishment, asserting that the country is fundamentally unprepared for a massive demographic shift that will see the population of older persons increase by hundreds of thousands over the next two decades. According to Dr. Nat O’Connor, Age Action’s Senior Policy Adviser, current political manifestos for the upcoming 2025–2029 government term fail to demonstrate the urgency required to address the needs of an ageing nation. As the country approaches a general election, the organization is calling for a comprehensive, all-of-government strategy to ensure that public services, infrastructure, and social safety nets are capable of supporting a society where one in four people will soon be over the age of 60.
The scale of the demographic transition is significant. Currently, Ireland is home to over 1.1 million people aged 60 or older. Projections indicate that within the lifetime of the next government (2025–2029), this cohort will grow by an additional 135,000 people, including 47,000 individuals aged 80 and older. Looking further ahead to 2044, the number of people aged 60 and older is expected to rise by 757,000, with the over-80 population increasing by more than a quarter of a million. Dr. O’Connor noted that the political system is currently failing to prepare for this transition, emphasizing that the years required to build hospitals, train healthcare professionals, and adapt urban infrastructure mean that planning must begin immediately.
Demographic Projections and the Infrastructure Gap
The figures provided by Age Action align with data from the Central Statistics Office (CSO), which has long forecast an "ageing of the population" as a primary challenge for the 21st century. While Ireland has historically had a younger profile compared to its European neighbors, it is now catching up rapidly. The "silver tsunami" often referred to by economists suggests that by the mid-2040s, the ratio of working-age people to retirees will shrink significantly, placing unprecedented pressure on the exchequer and the healthcare system.
Despite these known variables, Age Action’s review of party manifestos suggests a lack of integrated planning. While many parties mention "ageing" or "older people" in their documents, these references are often fragmented, focusing on isolated issues like pension increases or home care hours rather than a cohesive structural overhaul. Dr. O’Connor argued that the "lack of urgency" in these manifestos reflects a political culture that is reactive rather than proactive. He highlighted that it takes a decade or more to deliver large-scale healthcare infrastructure, meaning that the deficits of 2044 must be addressed by the policy decisions of 2025.
A Call for Structural Reform: The Commissioner for Ageing
Central to Age Action’s list of demands is the establishment of a Commissioner for Ageing and Older Persons. This office would be modeled on similar roles already existing in Northern Ireland and Wales. The proposal aims to provide a dedicated legal framework and an independent budget to protect the rights of older citizens. Currently, responsibility for older persons is diffused across various government departments—including Health, Social Protection, and Housing—which often leads to a lack of accountability and "siloed" thinking.
A Commissioner would serve as a high-level advocate, ensuring that the "ageing lens" is applied to all new legislation. This is particularly relevant for older persons who report feeling marginalized in political discourse. By creating a statutory body, the government would signal that the demographic transition is a permanent priority rather than a seasonal campaign issue.
Economic Security and the State Pension
The economic vulnerability of older persons has been exacerbated by the recent global inflation crisis. Age Action pointed out that the spending power of the State Pension has diminished significantly, leaving many older people living at or below the poverty line. To combat this, the organization is calling for the benchmarking and indexing of the State Pension.
The specific "ask" is for the government to pass legislation ensuring the State Pension rate is always at least 34% of total average earnings. This would remove the pension from the realm of political "gifts" during budget season and instead make it a stable, predictable income floor. Benchmarking would ensure that as the national standard of living rises, older persons—who no longer have the opportunity to enter the workforce to increase their earnings—are not left behind. This model is already standard in several other European social democracies and is viewed by advocates as the "bedrock" of income security in old age.
Ending Ageism in the Workforce and Digital Sphere
Beyond financial security, Age Action is targeting systemic ageism within Irish law and society. One of the most prominent issues is the practice of mandatory retirement. Currently, many employment contracts in Ireland force employees to retire at 65, despite the state pension age moving toward 66 and beyond. Age Action is calling for the total abolition of mandatory retirement, allowing individuals to remain in or re-enter the workforce as they see fit. This is framed not only as a matter of economic necessity for some but as a fundamental right to work and a step toward eliminating legally permitted age discrimination.
Furthermore, the "digital-only" trend in public and private services has created a new form of social exclusion. While the government has pushed for "Digital First" strategies in everything from banking to motor tax, a significant portion of the older population remains digitally excluded or lacks the high-speed infrastructure and skills to navigate these systems. Age Action’s manifesto demands a prohibition on "digital only" services, ensuring that traditional telephone and desk services remain adequately resourced. This "rights-based approach" ensures that access to state services is not contingent on technological literacy.
Healthcare, Housing, and Climate Justice
The organization’s ten-point plan also addresses the physical environment in which people age. With Ireland’s housing crisis continuing to dominate the political landscape, Age Action is advocating for "ageing in place." This involves enforcing universal design principles for all new builds—ensuring homes are accessible for people with limited mobility—and providing stronger protections for older renters.
On the healthcare front, the demand is for a fully universal, tax-funded system that is free at the point of use. This aligns with the long-delayed Sláintecare reforms, which aimed to move Ireland away from a two-tier health system. For older persons, who are the primary users of chronic care and acute hospital services, the current system’s inefficiencies result in long waiting lists and "trolley crises" that disproportionately affect their health outcomes.
Additionally, the group introduced the concept of an "Energy Guarantee for Older Persons." This payment would target those living in poorly insulated homes and those on lower incomes. In the context of Ireland’s climate targets, Age Action argues that older people should not be forced to choose between heating their homes and meeting climate goals. This is presented as a "tangible example of climate justice," recognizing that older generations often live in older, less energy-efficient housing stock.
The Global Context: A UN Convention
Finally, Age Action is urging the Irish government to support the introduction of a United Nations Convention on the Rights of Older Persons. While international conventions exist for children, women, and persons with disabilities, there is no specific UN instrument for the elderly. Proponents argue that such a convention would clarify the obligations of states to protect older people from abuse, neglect, and systemic discrimination, providing a global standard for dignity in old age.
Analysis of Implications for the Next Government
The challenges outlined by Dr. O’Connor suggest that the 2025–2029 government will face a "demographic reckoning." If the next administration fails to implement a multi-departmental ageing strategy, the result will likely be a compounding of existing crises.
- Healthcare Strain: Without a massive increase in community care and step-down facilities, acute hospitals will become permanently congested with older patients who are medically fit for discharge but have no supportive environment to return to.
- Economic Inequality: If the pension is not indexed, the gap between the working population and retirees will widen, potentially leading to social friction and increased rates of elderly poverty.
- Political Accountability: The call for a Commissioner suggests that the "grey vote"—which is historically the most reliable voting bloc in Ireland—is becoming increasingly disillusioned with piecemeal promises.
As the general election campaign intensifies, the pressure on political parties to move beyond vague manifesto mentions and toward concrete legislative commitments is growing. Age Action’s review of the six main party manifestos serves as a benchmark for voters. The organization’s conclusion is clear: Ireland is at a crossroads. The country can either plan for its ageing population now or face a chaotic and expensive transition in the decades to come.
Dr. O’Connor’s final assessment remains a challenge to those seeking office: "Ireland needs a new, comprehensive, all-of-government ageing strategy. With a multi-party government being the most likely outcome of this election, we would like all parties to commit to this during the campaign." Whether the political class heeds this warning will determine the quality of life for over a million citizens as they navigate the complexities of ageing in 21st-century Ireland.
