Consultation Results:
Strengthening the Voice of Older People in Ireland
Between August and September 2025, over 760 older people from
across Ireland took part in our national consultation. Your voices,ideas,
and lived experiences have shaped this report and will guide the work
ahead. Thank you for your time, honesty, and commitment to change.
T H A N K Y O U!
What You Told Us
We asked older people across Ireland to share their views, experiences and expectations when it comes to being heard in public life. Through a national survey, participants responded to a range of questions covering everything from their personal backgrounds to how they engage with public policy.
Below, you’ll find a snapshot of what we learned. Each section presents one of the survey questions, along with a short summary of the responses and a visual representation of the data.
Age Range of Participants
The majority of participants were aged between 60 and 79, reflecting the most civically active group of older adults in Ireland. Smaller numbers of people aged 80 and over also took part, ensuring a broad representation of older voices and experiences. A small proportion of participants were under 60, showing growing engagement among people approaching older age.
Gender Identity of Participants
The majority of participants in this consultation were women. This reflects national ageing trends, but also the strong civic engagement of older women in Ireland.
While men were well represented, the higher response rate among women points to their key role in community life and public dialogue.
Nearly all participants were Irish, which closely reflects the current demographic profile of older people in Ireland. A small number from dual heritage backgrounds, highlighting the importance of ensuring future consultations are inclusive of Ireland’s growing diversity.
Ethnic or Cultural Background
Where Participants Live
Responses were received from all 26 counties, with the strongest participation in Dublin, Mayo, Cork, and Galway. Both urban and rural areas were represented, thanks to widespread outreach by local organisations, libraries, and volunteers. Over half of all responses came from Leinster, followed by Connacht and Munster.
Organisational Affiliation
Nearly 4 in 10 participants were not affiliated with any organisation, showing that the consultation reached beyond formal networks. Among those who were connected, the strongest engagement came through Active Retirement groups, followed by Age Action and the Irish Senior Citizens’ Parliament.
Previous Engagement in Public Policy
Almost half of respondents said they have sometimes engaged in public policy discussions or consultations, while 41% said they have never done so. This shows there is a strong willingness among older people to participate, but also that many have not yet had the opportunity or support to get involved.
Only one in five participants said they had felt genuinely listened to when sharing their views on public issues. Almost 30% said they had not felt heard, while many others were unsure or had never tried to engage. This highlights a widespread feeling that the voices of older people are often not meaningfully included in decision-making.
Have You Ever Felt Listened To on Public Issues?
What Stops Older People from Participating?
Participants identified several barriers that limit their involvement in consultations and policy-making. These include digital exclusion, lack of clear information, limited access to meetings or transport, low confidence in public speaking, and a sense that older people’s views are not always taken seriously. Addressing these barriers will be key to creating genuine participation.
What Activities Feel Most Comfortable for Participation?
Most participants said they feel most comfortable taking part in surveys and community events. Smaller numbers are confident speaking at meetings or submitting written contributions, and fewer prefer online engagement. This shows the importance of offering multiple ways to take part, especially those that build on existing confidence and accessibility.
Nearly half of participants said they trust both local and national organisations to represent their views, showing a desire for collaboration and shared responsibility. Many prefer local groups they know, while others value national advocacy. A smaller number expressed uncertainty or lack of trust in existing structures.
What Kind of Organisation Do You Trust to Represent Older People?
How Can Organisations Build a Stronger Voice for Older People?
Participants shared a clear message: older people want real inclusion, not tokenism. They called for stronger representation, clearer communication, and maningful feedback on how their participation affected decisions.
Building a stronger voice requires genuine collaboration and respect for the lived experience of older people.
How Do Older People Feel About Being Heard and Included Overall?
Some participants described positive experiences of being heard, particularly in local projects and age-friendly initiatives. However, many others said their views often go unacknowledged, or that feedback is rarely shared. The message is clear: consultation is valued, but real inclusion depends on follow-up and visible change.
How Participants Took Part
The vast majority of participants (77%) completed the survey online, reflecting the growing digital confidence of older people. A further 18% took part using paper surveys, while a small number (0.5%) completed the consultation by telephone. This mix of participation methods highlights the importance of maintaining different ways to engage, ensuring everyone can have their voice heard.
Overall Summary
Older people across Ireland shared their experiences, insights, and priorities for change through this consultation. The findings show that older people are active, engaged, and eager to have a stronger voice in public life.
The message is clear: older people want to be listened to, respected, and included in decisions that affect them. They are ready to contribute their experience and leadership to create more inclusive communities and policies.
This consultation highlights both challenges and opportunities — from digital inclusion and accessibility to strengthening local and national representation. The next step is to turn these insights into action.
What's Next
Age Action and the Irish Senior Citizens Parliament are now reviewing the consultation findings and exploring ways to act on what older people have said.
The next phase will focus on:
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Strengthening local and national participation structures.
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Building partnerships between organisations that represent older people.
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Developing stronger feedback mechanisms so participants see how their input shapes real decisions.
We will share an update shortly on this page outlining the next steps and how the findings are being put into practice.