Care in a Changing World - Conference
On Wednesday, 12th November 2025, Social Justice Ireland held our Annual Social Policy Conference. This year's Conference was on the theme 'Care in a Changing World'. Our 2025 Social Policy Conference brought together voices from across the care landscape — carers, advocates, policymakers and organisations — to explore how care, rights and inclusion must evolve in a changing world.
Watch the presentations below.
Conor J. Crowley, Statistician at the Central Statistics Office (CSO) who opened the day with a demographic overview — a growing population, an ageing society, and rising dependency rates that will significantly increase care needs in the years ahead. Conor’s paper is entitled - Population and Labour Force Projections 2023-2057 and other Demographic Trends
Susanne Rogers, Policy & Research Analyst at Social Justice Ireland, highlighted how high costs and limited availability of formal care put it out of reach for many lower-income families. This deepens inequality and places pressure on families juggling paid work and caring responsibilities. Susanne’s paper is entitled - Care Work, Poverty and Inequality
Marianna Baggio, Research Officer at Eurofound, examined undeclared care work in the EU, revealing that nearly 7 million workers in the personal and household services sector remain undeclared — about one third in the care sector and up to 70% in direct household employment. She outlined key policy pointers to recognise, regulate, and reward care work. Marianna’s paper is entitled - Out of the shadows: Tackling undeclared care work in the EU
Jacek Barszczewski, Health Policy Researcher at the OECD, noted Ireland’s strong public social protection system, while also identifying key challenges including fragmented long-term care legislation, lack of integration with hospitals and limited home care regulation. Jacek’s paper is entitled - Situating Ireland in the OECD Landscape of Long-Term Care Systems
Dr. Sarah Donnelly, Associate Professor of Social Work at UCD School of Social Policy, Social Work and Social Justice explored how caring impacts the wellbeing of carers themselves, stressing the need to balance the rights of carers and those they care for. Sarah’s paper is entitled - Caring for the Carers-Balancing the rights of Carers and the Cared for Person in Ireland; Implications for Policy and Practice
Our Panel Discussion, 'Care Through Multiple Lenses', brought together powerful voices advocating for a more equitable, rights-based, and future-ready care system. Expertly chaired by Michelle Murphy, Policy & Research Analyst at Social Justice Ireland, our panel featured:
Adam Harris, Founder & CEO, AsIAm - Ireland’s Autism Charity, emphasised that the needs of autistic people and carers must be met together. He highlighted the need for protecting progress, improving access to services, tackling barriers, and future-proofing autism supports amid demographic change.
Clare Duffy, Policy and Public Affairs Manager, Family Carers Ireland, called for renewed ambition and a unified voice for carers. She stressed the need for adequate income, respite, and genuine recognition of the vital role carers play in society.
Elaine Teague, CEO, Disability Federation of Ireland, shared a disability rights perspective and highlighted the need to rethink how we define care and support. Support is a right, care is built on relationships. People with disabilities ask for support, not care. She urged a shift toward recognising disabled people as rights holders, with inclusion, autonomy, and co-design central to independent living.
Tricia Keilthy, Head of Policy, The Ombudsman for Children's Office, offered a child rights lens and reminded us all of the State’s responsibility to protect and support all children. She highlighted concerns around rising child poverty, children in emergency accommodation and direct provision, and the importance of embedding rights through the UNCRC and UNCRPD. Our Panel discussion focusing on the question - What are the top priorities for care organisations in the years ahead?