The Action Plan for Jobs 2014 identified Smart Ageing as a sectoral opportunity for economic growth and jobs for Ireland. As part of the Action Plan, the Government committed to map the current economic and social activity in Ireland, to identify relevant assets and strengths and to identify the enterprise and job creation potential for the country. Ireland commissioned the Technopolis Group to help identify the specific developments that may benefit older people globally and where Ireland has a competitive advantage. The review was carried out between August and December 2014, for an Inter-Departmental Steering Group, chaired by the Department of the Taoiseach and supported by the Strategic Policy Unit in the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation.

The primary objective was to identify major economic opportunities relating to Smart Ageing, where government support was likely to be decisive in helping Irish businesses capture income and market share internationally. The focus was on innovation-related opportunities, and the study began by mapping Ireland’s various R&D activities, networks and enterprise base across key economic sectors1 in order to provide a baseline of relevant skills and institutional capacity.

The study has found that Ireland exhibits a ‘small country effect’, with strong connections across different actors in the public and private sectors, including third level institutes, research institutes and industry. The mapping of activities linked to Smart Ageing identified over 1,150 initiatives (including strategies, programmes and projects) across Government Departments, agencies, higher education institutes, enterprise and NGOs.

The study has reviewed international market trends and policy initiatives, and identified specific opportunities for Ireland to develop new products, services and solutions for older people in Functional food, Connected health, Assisted living, Adaptable housing, and Leisure tourism, based on current activities and further policy support. Workshops were held with key stakeholders from academia, industry, not-for-profit organisations and health bodies as well as Government Departments, to test the results of the work.

Finally, the report has set out a range of specific recommendations for the key opportunity areas identified as well as provided options for taking the smart ageing strategy forward in Ireland. The Government is now setting up an Implementation Group to oversee this process based on the analysis and recommendations contained in the Technopolis Report.

Healthcare and self-care, including biomedical solutions; Educational and training services for older people; Financial services for older people; Food and nutrition for older people; Connectivity and social participation; Lifestyle products and services including tourism; Employment; Housing and transport.

1Healthcare and self-care, including biomedical solutions; Educational and training services for older people; Financial services for older people; Food and nutrition for older people; Connectivity and social participation; Lifestyle products and services including tourism; Employment; Housing and transport.

Kristine Farla
This person no longer works at Technopolis Group

Paul Simmonds
Group Holding

Peter Varnai
Partner