Active Retirement Ireland ─ the largest membership organisation for older people in the country ─ has called on those in the next government for greater support for initiatives that promote ageing well.

In its general election manifesto, Active Retirement Ireland called for the implementation of national initiatives to reduce isolation and enhance social inclusion, including increased funding and support for local community programmes and groups who are already working at the grassroots level to achieve this.

Speaking at the opening of Active Retirement Ireland’s 2024 National Bowls Competition, taking place this week in the Gleneagle INEC Killarney, the organisation’s CEO Maureen Kavanagh said: “Social isolation and barriers to social inclusion are among the most pressing issues facing older people in Ireland today, and we are yet to see any meaningful steps by government to implement a cohesive national initiative to address this”

“The next programme for government must include clear polices to embed a positive ageing framework in Ireland and that recognise older people as active contributors to society, who should be supported to maintain strong social connections and to age well. Ireland needs to move away from a medical model of ageing, where older people are viewed through a lens of care, dependency on services, and cost to society.”

Forty-two four-player teams from Active Retirement Associations in 13 counties across Ireland are competing in the twelfth National Bowls Competition this week, with finals day taking place on Thursday 12th December 24.

Ms Kavanagh continued: “The Active Retirement Ireland National Bowls Competition is a wonderful example of the drive and determination of older people to self-organise, participate in their own health and wellbeing and enjoy an active and social lifestyle.

“The 168 bowlers, volunteer officials and many spectators at this year’s National Bowls Competition, and indeed our 24,000 members across the country, aren’t waiting around for the government to act ─ they are getting on with it. But they can’t continue without support.

“Older people don’t want things done for them; they want to be independent and active in their own lives. It’s time the government instituted and implemented a comprehensive, whole-of-government positive ageing framework in Ireland so that they can.

The indoor mat bowls tournament is Active Retirement Ireland’s flagship event for Active Retirement Association (ARA) members and includes 13 teams from Co Kerry, six from Co Cork, four from Co Waterford, three from each of counties Kilkenny, Carlow and Wexford, two from each of counties Kildare, Tipperary and Meath, and one team from each of counties Laois, Westmeath, Galway and Wicklow.

There are 515 local Active Retirement Associations (ARAs) in local communities across Ireland — groups of older people who come together to organise social events and activities to reduce isolation and loneliness — supported by the national body Active Retirement Ireland.

For more information about Active Retirement Ireland, see www.activeirl.ie.