On Wednesday 6 November, Professor Mary McCarron, Professor Eilish Burke, Dr Martin McMahon and Dr Eimear McGlinchey, of the Trinity Centre for Ageing and Intellectual Disability, presented to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters on future-proofing to improve the life and longevity of persons with disabilities. 

They shared findings from the Intellectual Disability Supplement to the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (IDS-TILDA), a longitudinal study researching ageing in Ireland among people with an intellectual disability aged 40 and over. IDS-TILDA is the flagship research project within the Trinity Centre for Ageing and Intellectual Disability (TCAID) and has been instrumental in shaping healthcare practices and informing policy. 

Prof McCarron, Prof Burke, Dr McMahon and Dr McGlinchey highlighted significant achievements in the increased inclusion and engagement of people with intellectual disabilities in the community. They acknowledged the important role of Registered Intellectual Disability Nurses (RNID’s) and spoke about barriers and concerns such as staff support and resource issues, ongoing research into poorly understood health issues, and inequity in healthcare and health outcomes for people with intellectual disabilities. 

Prof McCarron, Professor in Ageing & Intellectual Disability, said in her opening statement: 

“IDS-TILDA data demonstrates that the lives of people with intellectual disabilities have improved—sometimes dramatically—in many areas over time. This is particularly true for those with mild and moderate levels of intellectual disability and for those not living in residential care. Conversely, the data highlight that more work is needed, particularly to address preventable and treatable mortality. IDS-TILDA is documenting changes in lives and ongoing challenges in ways that no other survey can or does. 

We have the strongest data in the world on the physical and social determinants of health and wellbeing for people with intellectual disabilities as they age. Let’s use it wisely to inform policy and the necessary support to ensure that people with intellectual disabilities can age with dignity—age with pride.” 

Teachtaí Dála / Deputies Present: Michael Moynihan (Chair), Dessie Ellis, Frankie Feighan, Jennifer Murnane O’Connor, Pauline Tully.

Seanadóirí / Senators Present:  Fiona O’Loughlin.

I láthair / In attendance: Senator Victor Boyhan.