News
Survey for a Healthy Ireland in 2025!
We want to make a real impact on the Health Budget for 2025. In order for Government to plan Budget 2025 accurately, we must remind them of the reality of growing older in Ireland and the numerous hardships older people are now facing. People are living longer and numbers of older people are rapidly increasing. We have a right to live a healthy life and sufficient access to healthcare and support which can help us to age in place and reduce the pressure on our overloaded health system. In order to do that, we need to hear directly from you and your lived experience within the Irish health system. We have put together a survey to assess both the immediate and long-term health needs of older persons in Ireland including medical, dental and homecare. The survey should take no longer than 10 minutes and your answers will directly impact our submissions to Government for 2025, i.e. we will ask for exactly what you need on your behalf. The more people we hear from, the more precise these asks will be.
You can access the Pre-Budget Health Survey by clicking HERE
2025 Pre-Budget Submission to the Department of Social Protection
In order for Government to plan Budget 2025 accurately, we must remind them of the reality of growing older in Ireland and the numerous hardships older people are now facing. We conducted a survey to assess both the immediate and long-term needs of older persons in Ireland and to allow us to hear directly from you about your lived experience. We wish to take this opportunity to thank all 554 ISCP members and older persons who took part in our surveys. Because of you, we were able to formulate an accurate depiction of the living situation of older people today and ask for exactly what you need from Government in order to maintain an acceptable standard of living.
You can access a copy of our final pre-budget submission to the Department of Social Protection below.
2025 Pre-Budget Submission to the Department of Social Protection
We value your time and we value your voice. Thank you for speaking up and including your needs in our submission to Government for 2025.
Wishing you a wonderful retirement!
We would like to take some time to acknowledge and celebrate a remarkable career and bid farewell to an extraordinary colleague who is embarking on a well-deserved journey into retirement. We wish to express to Sue, our genuine appreciation and gratitude for her remarkable contributions and unwavering dedication to the ISCP.
A friend, a colleague, a fierce leader, Sue has left a lasting mark on the team, our Board and Executive, ISCP members and most significantly on the Age Sector itself. Her expertise and exceptional skills have helped to secure the longevity of the ISCP and propel us forward into our next chapter. She has certainly been a mentor and role model to so many of us.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Sue has also been a source of inspiration and support on a personal level. She has always been on hand to offer words of encouragement and create a positive and nurturing environment for everyone around her. Her kindness, generosity and genuine care for those around her has helped foster a strong sense of camaraderie and unity within our team and Executive Committee.
We are forever grateful for the knowledge and skills we have gained under her tutelage, in particular her ability to instil in us the values of integrity, dedication and perseverance. As Sue embarks on her own new chapter, we can only wish her the very best in her retirement. May it be filled with happiness and good health, excitement and adventure and most of all, relaxation. You will be sorely missed but your legacy will continue to inspire us all.
Thank you for everything you have done and congratulations on your well-deserved retirement!
Vicky continues to be our Rock of Support
Today we honour Vicky Phelan on her first anniversary and pay tribute to all women, their families and friends who have been affected by cervical cancer. Vicky was of course a prominent figure in the CervicalCheck scandal, as she brought attention to the misdiagnosis and delayed treatment of multiple cervical cancer cases in Ireland. Her courageous fight for justice and her advocacy efforts had a profound impact on the healthcare system and Irish society as a whole.
This morning on Newstalk we heard from Vicky’s friend and fellow campaigner Stephen Teap, whose words struck a chord:
She had the “the courage to stand up and not only stand up and fight for yourself and for what you believe in, but also to represent others…
While she was a victim, she didn’t see herself as one; she was more of a fighter and I think that’s what we all admired so much of Vicky Phelan”
Stephen’s wife Irene had also tragically lost her life to cervical cancer in 2017 at the age of 37. Stephen and Vicky formed a special bond after he witnessed her strength in sharing her story for the first time on the steps of the Dublin Courthouse in April of 2018, saying she instantly became a “Rock of Support”.
Vicky became a rock of support for the entire nation in her bravery to persevere and expose the serious flaws in the screening process and communication between healthcare providers and patients. Recommendations of Dr. Gabriel Scally’s Report and significant efforts of the 221+ Campaign has resulted in reforms and changes to prevent similar incidents in the future. Widespread investigations and review of the cervical screening process prompted the creation of the Patient Safety Bill, a law that makes open disclosure a mandatory obligation of those charged with the care of a patient in the Irish health system. In addition, the processing of CervicalCheck samples have recently restarted in the National Cervical Screening Laboratory. Each of these major changes were sparked by the bravery of Vicky Phelan followed by Laura Brennan, Stephen Teap, Lorraine Walsh and so many other individuals who have been working tirelessly behind the scenes to protect the future of all women in Ireland.
Vicky was responsible for igniting a national conversation about women’s health, patient advocacy, and the importance of transparent and accountable healthcare systems. She highlighted the need for improved communication, better access to medical information, and increased awareness of the importance of early detection and prevention. It is important to note that cervical cancer can affect women at any age and it is worthwhile to encourage the women in your life to get checked. Today, we felt it was essential to celebrate Vicky’s transformative accomplishments achieved in such a short time and to emphasise the importance of speaking up and speaking out.
“To be an activist is to speak. To be an advocate is to listen. Society can’t move forward without both.”
– Eva Marie Lewis