See the Videos and Papers from our 32nd Social Policy Conference - The Challenges of Success

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The Challenges of Success – Addressing Population Growth in Ireland

"This is the kind of forum at which the future is discussed in order to fashion policies that will cater for the country in the coming years" - Mick Clifford, writing in the Irish Examiner, Saturday November 30th 2019.

Ireland's growing and ageing population is a success story.

We have one of the youngest populations in Europe, with a comparatively high birth rate. Advances in healthcare provision and healthier food, an increased awareness of wellbeing, and improved standards of living more generally have led to low infant mortality rates and increased life expectancy.

But these improvements are not being experienced equally by all groups in Irish society, and they bring with them challenges in many policy areas.

In the first of a series of conferences on Ireland's changing demography, our 2019 Social Policy Conference (our 32nd ever) focused on children and older people:

• What demographic trends can we expect to see over the coming decades?
• How can we harness the 'demographic dividend' that comes with having one of the youngest populations in Europe?
• What are the biggest policy challenges around accommodation and care that Ireland will face as older people make up an increasingly higher proportion of our population?
• What policies are needed to support these two cohorts and what solutions are available to meet the challenges brought on by our own success?

The presentations are divided below according to the four sessions on the day. Scroll down, and you can download slides used at the conference; watch videos of the presentations; see our handy summary graphics of each presentation; download a pdf of each individual paper, or download the entire conference booklet for free by clicking here.

Session 1

Introduction and Welcome: Dr. Seán Healy, Social Justice Ireland
        
Setting the Scene - Demographic Change in Ireland: James Hegarty (Central Statistics Office)
Click here to see James Hegarty's slides from the conference.
Click here to see James Hegarty's full paper.
Click here to see the first cartoon summary of James's presentation. Click here to see the second cartoon summary of James's presentation.

Session 2

Rebuilding Ireland for Everyone: Colette Bennett (Social Justice Ireland) & Seán Moynihan (ALONE)
Click here to see Colette Bennett's slides from the conference.
Click here to see Colette Bennett's full paper.
Click here to see the cartoon summary of Colette's presentation.
 

Click here to see Seán Moynihan's slides from the conference.
Click here to see Seán Moynihan's full paper.
Click here to see the cartoon summary of Seán's presentation.

Session 3

The Kids are Alright... Aren't They?: Dr. Elizabeth Nixon (Trinity College Dublin) & Roddy Doyle (Author)
Click here to see Elizabeth Nixon's slides from the conference.
Click here to see Elizabeth Nixon's full paper.
Click here to see the cartoon summary of Liz's presentation.

Click here to see the cartoon summary of Roddy's interview.

Session 4

Living Well in Our Community: Dr. Diarmuid O'Shea (Irish Gerontological Society and St. Vincent's Hospital). This video includes closing words from Dr. Seán Healy, Social Justice Ireland.
Click here to see Diarmuid O'Shea's slides from the conference.
Click here to see Diarmuid O'Shea's full paper.
Click here to see the cartoon summary of Diarmuid's presentation.