Browse Ageing Policies

The Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities 2015–2024 sets out a ten‐year approach to ensuring that people with disabilities who are able and willing to work are supported and enabled to do so. It is supported by the National Disability Authority and a full rage of Government Departments. The Strategy's six strategic priorities are:- Build skills, capacity and independence; - Provide bridges and supports into work; - Make work pay; - Promote job retention and re-entry to work; - Provide co-ordinated and seamless support; - Engage employers. The aim of this strategy is to increase the numbers of people at work, and the proportion of people with disabilities in a job. The measures set out in the strategy aim to address the barriers to employment and improve pathways to work, with the impact on employment building up over time. An Implementation Group will also be established to monitor the progress of the six strategic priorities of the Strategy and present periodic reports to the relevant Minister on the same. The implementation of the strategy will be subject to regular monitoring, and there will be a review and renewal every three years.

The National Positive Ageing Strategy aimed to promote the health, wellbeing, and quality of life of people as they age in Ireland. It focused on removing barriers to participation, supporting physical and mental health, ensuring security and dignity, and using research to inform policy. The strategy was developed by a Cross-Departmental Group including representatives from various government departments and agencies. It also involved a Non-Governmental Organisation Liaison Group with representatives from twelve national-level NGOs. It was a national strategy targeting the entire population of Ireland, with a focus on older persons. It addressed multiple sectors including health, social services, employment, education, transport, and housing. The strategy emphasizes a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach, with collaboration across various sectors and levels of government. The strategy outlined four main goals, specifically removing barriers to participation and provide more opportunities for older persons to engage in cultural, economic, and social life, supporting people as they age to maintain, improve, or manage their physical and mental health and wellbeing, enabling people to age with confidence, security, and dignity in their own homes and communities for as long as possible, and supporting and using research about ageing to better inform policy responses to population ageing in Ireland. The strategy run from 2013 to 2017.

The National Carers' Strategy (2012) sets out Government policy for those who care for older persons, children and adults with an illness or a disability. Its aim is to support people to live in dignity and independence in their own homes and communities for as long as possible. The Strategy aims to recognise, support, and empower carers to manage their physical, mental, and emotional health and wellbeing and contains actions to implement the following national goals: (1) to recognise the value and contribution of carers and promote their inclusion in decisions relating to the person they are caring for; (2) to support carers to manage their physical, mental, and emotional health and wellbeing; (3) to support carers to care with confidence through the provision of adequate information, training, services and supports; and (4) to empower carers to participate as fully as possible in economic and social life.

This document, An Garda Síochána older persons Strategy, is developed by An Garda Síochána and has been developed to ensure the policing needs of older persons in Ireland are met to the highest standard possible. The Strategy for the Older Person was developed following extensive research and consultation with key internal and external stakeholders. The An Garda Síochána older persons Strategy has the following four key objectives: (1) to develop and maintain effective communication links between Gardaí and older persons; (2) to deliver a timely and effective proactive response by An Garda Síochána for older persons; (3) to increase trust and confidence by lessening the fear of crime amongst older persons; and (4) to determine and respond to the needs and expectations of older persons on an ongoing basis. Evaluation of this strategy will be carried out in collaboration with a range of other strategies and initiatives underway within the framework of the Diversity Strategy 2010–2013 and the National Model of Community Policing.

During the pandemic, the Minister of State, Department of Health with responsibility for Mental Health and older persons launched the Digital Ambassadors programme in Ireland's libraries. The programme was developed in partnership between Age Friendly Ireland (AFI) and Libraries Development at the LGMA (Local Government Management Authority). The aim of the programme was to support older persons in accessing online library resources, while physical library services are suspended as part of government measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19. The ambition for this Programme was for the online training to be rolled out nationally through the 48 Age Friendly Library Champions in libraries around the country. Through tutoring sessions, older persons are empowered to avail of the fantastic range of library services available online. The training consist of tutoring session about getting on to the internet, downloading apps, and access online services, such as exercise classes, singing, zooming. The goal is to reduce social isolation during the Covid-19 pandemic.