SLW visits employment and elderly care services in Dublin (with photos)
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Dr Law and the Director of Social Welfare, Ms Carol Yip, first met with the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection of Ireland, Ms Regina Doherty, and discussed the employment policies and social welfare systems of both places.
They exchanged views on retirement protection policies in an ageing society. Dr Law was briefed on the development of a defined contribution system to make the retirement protection system more sustainable. Issues related to challenges in labour supply and demand caused by ageing population and technology, particularly artificial intelligence, were also discussed. The Irish government officials shared their experience on the extension of the retirement age, which is currently 66, and will be gradually increased to 68 by 2028. They noted that the average life expectancy in Ireland is about 81.5, slightly lower than that in Hong Kong, which is about 84. The provision of support for people with disabilities in employment was also discussed.
Dr Law and Ms Yip then visited the Alzheimer Society of Ireland along with representatives of the Hong Kong Council of Social Service. The society works with day care centres, home care services, carer support groups and respite centres to provide dementia-specific care for elderly persons with dementia and support for their families. They also toured facilities in an elderly centre for dementia patients.
Earlier, Dr Law also called on the Chargé d'Affaires of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Ireland, Ms Yang Hua, on July 2 (Dublin time) to update her on recent developments in Hong Kong.
He will attend the Joint World Conference on Social Work, Education and Social Development 2018 later today (July 4, Dublin time).
Ends/Wednesday, July 4, 2018
Issued at HKT 14:20
Issued at HKT 14:20
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