Fine Gael Policy Lab proposes new vision for fulfilling potential of longer lives in Ireland

Fine Gael Policy Lab is today proposing a new vision for positive ageing in Ireland aimed at reimagining how we think, feel and act towards ageing.

Fine Gael has established a Policy Lab to allow a much wider range of people to shape its policies. It has already examined the issues of care of the child and circular economy. Today it publishes its policy proposals on positive ageing and older people in Ireland.

Chairperson of the Policy Lab, Marion Coy said: “People living longer represents a great success story for humanity, but we must grasp that potential to the full. Today, an Irish citizen has the longest life expectancy in Europe and a baby born this year in Ireland will live 25 years longer than a child born one hundred years ago. The enormous added value for society of longer lives is often lost because it is poorly understood.

“We need to stop thinking of longer lives as a “condition” and see the dividends being delivered by longevity. Many people lose social connections as a result of an abrupt end to working life, with little or no preparation for what is to come. This can and must change. A failure to deal with the new reality of longevity impacts on personal well-being and also piles up long term costs on society.

“The enormous change in the family structures within which longer lives are being lived has not been adequately taken into account. As a consequence, the supports available often fail to meet peoples’ needs. Complex rules and inflexible arrangements mean many fall through the cracks.”

Recommendations from the Fine Gael Policy Lab’s latest report, ‘A new framework for positive ageing’,  include:

• A new whole of Government approach is essential so that the many agencies who must contribute are mobilised in a coherent implementation plan .
• A Commissioner for Positive Ageing should be established with a mandate to monitor progress, conduct research and advise the Oireachtas on policy and performance.
• Better preparation for retirement, will give people better pathways to stay connected.

Agencies like the Workplace Relations Commission and the Intreo Offices can play a new role.

• The creation of Local Partnerships could open up new ways for families to get support and develop inter-agency cooperation to deliver the flexibility needed.
• Planning for suitable places to live with better access can promote new thinking about the design of our communities and open up possibilities like rightsizing which is now so difficult.
• A new emphasis on Staying Healthy and Navigating Care would require new roles to be set for insurers and services in the community, and the use of technology to help catch and manage difficult conditions that often now evade detection until too late.
• Assistance for independent living will be put on a statutory basis, with a Homecare Development Agency to provide individual homes and more purpose built accommodation. It will work with both private and public providers.
• The establishment of a Positive Ageing Social Innovation Fund to promote intergenerational connections and combat isolation within communities and families.

Deputy Richard Bruton, Vice Chairperson of the Fine Gael Policy Lab, said: “The growing number of older people brings wonderful opportunities for our country; however we are not treating this demographic change with the seriousness or urgency that it deserves.

“A new vision is required which ensures life after retirement can be active, connected, respected, secure and independent, just as it was for people before. This vision requires a redesign of institutions, and long-term structural changes to combat the shortcomings of the present approaches.”

The report will now be furnished to the Fine Gael Parliamentary Party and Taoiseach Simon Harris for consideration of the proposals.