John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I want to raise an issue that is good news and a matter of continuing interest. It is relevant to the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, who is here. One of the most interesting points the Minister mentioned in his opening statement concerns the demographic challenge, which is alarming. The statistics are really interesting. Our population is at its largest since 1850, with an increase of close to 400,000 people in five years. The highest percentage increase was in the older age groups, with a 28% increase among those aged 75 to 84 and the older-than-85 age group having the second highest percentage growth of 25%. These figures are in contrast to an average growth rate of 3.5% for the same age profiles across the European Union. People over the age of 65, which is the common threshold for old age, now make up 15% of the population, which is an increase from 12%. Population ageing is having significant impacts on both the demand for and flexibility of healthcare provision. Will the Minister of State comment on that? I ask that she leave me 30 seconds at the end for a small rider question.