CARDI recently hosted a half day seminar with senior policy staff and key academics across Ireland to share experiences and explore ways of promoting an increased understanding of ageing policy issues in Ireland, North and South. Held in Dundalk on 23rd September, the key themes included looking at ways to foster closer engagement with researchers and policy makers to contribute to better outcomes for older people now and in the future.

Prof Jane Wilde from the Institute of Public Health in Ireland provided some reflections of working across the island of Ireland. Dr Virpi Timonen from Trinity College Dublin gave an overview of the research process and Dr Vanessa Burholt from Swansea University stressed the need for evaluation and developing relevant indicators to check on progress. Dr Stephen Donnelly, Head of Research from the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister and Ms Eileen Kehoe, from the Office for Older People in the Department of Health and Children gave overviews of the research and policy processes involved in the Ageing in an Inclusive Society and the National Positive Ageing Strategy.

Concluding, Dr Roger O’Sullivan, Director of CARDI commented on the importance of this event as part of the process of building (and maintaining) relationships across Ireland (North and South) and making linkages between policy and research in respect of age and older people.

To access the papers and presentations see the following links:

Participants Brief: Building Relationships and Making Links Between Research and Policy

Prof Jane Wilde's presentation

Dr Virpi Timonen's presentation

Dr Vanessa Burholt's presentation

Dr Stephen Donnelly's presentation

Ms Eileen Kehoe's presentation