"Future Policies: Older People, Children & Families & Persons with Disabilities" - A Lifecourse Institute Election Event

The Lifecourse Institute (LCI) comprising the Child and Family Research Centre, the Centre for Disability Law and Policy and the Centre for Social Gerontology invited the election candidates from the main political parties to set out their future policy plans for older people, children and families, and persons with disabilities. Each of these policy areas is central to the work of the LCI. The event, "Future Policies: Older People, Children & Families & Persons with Disabilities" took place on Thursday, 17 February 2011.

The organisers of this event invited the election candidates from the main political parties to set out their future policy plans for older people, children and families, and persons with disabilities. Each of these policy areas is central to the work of the LCI. Representing the political parties are Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael); Derek Nolan (Labour); Niall O’Brochlain (Green); Trevor O’Clochartaigh (Sinn Féin); and Eamon O’Cuiv (Fianna Fáil). Professor Chris Curtin, Head of the School of Political Science and Sociology at NUI Galway, chaired the proceedings. Donncha O’Connell, of the School of Law at NUI Galway, acted as Rapporteur. Each of the representatives had the opportunity to outline their party position, followed by a question and answer session with representatives from a range of community groups and members of the public.

Professor Pat Dolan, Academic Director of the Lifecourse Institute, said “the event provid[ed] an opportunity for the stakeholder groups to engage in a discussion with the political parties on the proposed policies which are directly relevant to them. Scrutinising party policies in relation to children and families, persons with disabilities and older people is critically important, particularly in a time of limited resources.”

The aim of the Lifecourse Institute is to impact positively on future policies for children and families, persons with disabilities and older people through advancing an integrated approach to research, policy and services. Each of the three centres already makes an important contribution to its respective field in Ireland and internationally. The Lifecourse Institute will add value to this existing work through collaboration - while retaining each centre’s distinct identity. The Institute is funded through philanthropic donations and in collaboration with The Atlantic Philanthropies.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Centre for Disability Law and Policy, National University of Ireland, Galway, University Road, Galway, Ireland.
Tel: +353 (0)91 495888, SMS/Text Phone: +353 (0)87 6660634, Fax: +353 (0) 91 495569
Email: info.cdlpnuigalway.ie

This page was last updated Tuesday, February 22, 2011