Active Retirement Ireland met with Minister of State for Older People and Housing Kieran O’Donnell TD at Leinster House on Wednesday 13 May, for a lengthy and very constructive discussion on key issues affecting older people across Ireland.
The meeting was attended by ARI National President Mai Quaid, CEO Fran Brennan and Head of Policy and Advocacy Alison Bough, and provided an important opportunity to engage directly with the Minister on the work of Active Retirement Ireland and its role in supporting older people at community level.
The discussion covered a wide range of areas, including ageing in place, housing for older people, community supports, and the importance of preventative health — including access to the shingles vaccine. Active Retirement Ireland emphasised the importance of participation and social connection in enabling people to remain active, independent and engaged in their communities.
Speaking after the meeting, Alison Bough said:
“What came through clearly in the meeting is the importance of recognising the role that community-based organisations like Active Retirement Ireland are already playing in supporting participation, connection, and preventative health at scale. If we are serious about ageing in place, we need to fully value and invest in these approaches.”
The meeting was a positive and forward-looking engagement, and Active Retirement Ireland welcomed the Minister’s openness to continued dialogue. The organisation looks forward to building on this discussion and continuing to highlight the role of community-based approaches in supporting older people to remain active, connected and independent.