Citation
(2011), "News from the Centre for Ageing Research and Development in Ireland", Quality in Ageing and Older Adults, Vol. 12 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/qaoa.2011.55912caa.004
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2011, Emerald Group Publishing Limited
News from the Centre for Ageing Research and Development in Ireland
Article Type: News From: Quality in Ageing and Older Adults, Volume 12, Issue 3
“Focus on” examines the voting behaviour of older people across Ireland to explore if evidence indicates that there is a correlation between age and voting. It also describes the political party stances on older people’s issues in Republic of Ireland (ROI) and the different views in society of older voters.
Key findings
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About 21 per cent of eligible voters in Northern Ireland (NI) and 17 per cent of eligible voters in the ROI are over the age of 65.
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About 63 per cent of people aged 65 and over voted in the last NI Assembly elections, while 88 per cent of voters aged 65 and over voted in the last ROI general election.
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There is some evidence of a correlation between age and attitudes to public spending, with older people preferring public spending on pensions over public spending on education.
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How older people are viewed politically is crucial. A traditional view is that after a certain age an individual’s economic and social worth is diminished. However, older people are healthier, more independent and more empowered than ever.
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There is a strong emphasis on care for older people in the ROI party manifestos to the detriment of empowerment measures for older people.
Contact Conor Breen, Policy Officer: conor@cardi.ie or on 0035314786303.