Yesterday CARDI launched the report “Illustrating Ageing in Ireland - Key Facts and Figures”.

This publication, mapping statistical information on ageing across the island of Ireland, is part of a portfolio of publications which maps existing research, policy and
government structures relating to ageing across Ireland, north and south

This report, which can be downloaded from our website (www.cardi.ie) will be of interest to older people and their organisations, researchers of all disciplines, policy-makers and service providers.

By providing this statistical comparison on a range of aspects of the lives of older people in Northern Ireland (NI) and the Republic of Ireland (RoI), this report helps to identify and highlight both similarities and differences across the Island of Ireland.

It also emphasises the need for increased focus on comparable datasets and definitions across the island of Ireland.

In compiling this report a number of areas emerged that merit exploration for the purposes of analysing and planning an ageing society. These include:
 

• What explains the growing periods of years spent in poor health and disability
• What are the implications for policies and services?
• What can we say about the impact of the recession on older workers?
• How can we measure the contribution older people make to the economy and
  communities?

We were delighted that Professor Brendan Whelan, Research Director of TILDA, the Irish Longitudinal Study of Ageing and Professor Bernie Hannigan, Director of Health and Social Care, Research & Development (NI) provided commentary presentations at the launch, which are also able to be downloaded from our site.

We welcome your views on this report and topics you consider to be priorities for ageing research in Ireland.

Roger O’Sullivan
Director