The rapid rise in the number of people aged over 65 revealed in today’s census should encourage the Government to prioritise planning for an ageing society according to Age Action, Ireland’s leading advocacy organisation for older people.
The number of people aged over 65 has increased since 2011 by 19.1 per cent to 637,567. There was also a 15.6 per cent increase in the number of people aged over 85 to 67,555.
Justin Moran, Head of Advocacy and Communications with Age Action, said: “People are living longer, healthier, lives and this is a huge success story.
“Ireland does not face a demographic crisis, we face a policy crisis caused by the failure of successive government to prepare and plan for the changes shown in today’s census figures.
“These statistics should be a wake-up call to policymakers. We need to start planning to ensure a decent State Pension, accessible homecare and better services not just for today’s older people, but for generations who hope to grow old in Ireland.”