Ageing and Social Policy in Ireland provides an up-to-date appraisal of policy developments and is intended for undergraduate and postgraduate students, including those approaching gerontology for the first time. The book is clearly written and well structured, with each chapter addressing a specific key area of social policy.

In Chapter 2, Maria Pearce addresses the evolving constructions of ageing in Irish social policy through key policy milestones, from the Poor Relief (Ireland) Act of 1838 to the most recent developments, and explores the reasons as to why the tendency to regard population ageing as an ‘economic burden’ is likely to be an enduring one in Ireland. She presents opportunities for positive change at the end of the chapter.

In Chapter 3, Tony Fahey presents a brief account of the links between ageing, the labour market and retirement. Based on data from the Living in Ireland Survey (1994–2002), he presents interesting gender differences in the experience of retirement and concludes that the impact of retirement on Irish older workers seemed to be generally positive except for those who exited work to become unemployed or because of illness or disability.

Chapter 4 by Martina Prunty addresses the important issue of poverty in old age, and reviews two key definitions: income-only versus consistent (i.e. including item-deprivation) poverty. She presents recent EUROSTAT data indicating that Ireland has the second highest rate of income poverty for those aged over 65 years within the EU₂₅, which will make the issue of older people in poverty ‘a crucial issue for Ireland in the twenty-first century’. Based on a secondary data analysis of the EU Survey on Income and Living Conditions (2004), she presents evidence on the important role played by social transfers (and, in particular, old age pensions) in reducing and preventing poverty in old age. Recommendations are made such as linking pension rates to wages, increasing the Living Alone Allowance, achieving greater pension coverage and upgrading existing home improvement schemes.

In Chapter 5, Michelle Norris and Nessa Winston address issues around non-institutional housing and accommodation for older people. Based on data from the Irish National Survey of Housing Quality (2001–02), key indicators are presented. Whilst the vast majority of older people in Ireland own their homes outright, data on housing conditions and affordability reveal a mixed picture, especially for older people living alone. It is argued that despite policy aims, supported home care is still underdeveloped and public funding for home improvement grants are limited, as are affordable sheltered housing options.

Chapter 6 by Joan O'Flynn presents an overview of the current trends relating to older returning migrants, based on data from the Irish Central Statistics Office. Data show that the actual numbers of older return migrants are small and in decline, suggesting that the majority of emigrants, if deciding to return to Ireland, do so before they reach 65 years of age. Despite that, she argues that more research on the experience and needs of older return migrants is needed, to better inform public policy planning.

In Chapter 7, Joe Moran writes about older people and the ‘new communities’ in Ireland which is highlighted as another forgotten area despite immigration into Ireland over the past decade having been ‘one of the most extraordinary aspects of a changing Irish society’. He argues that, despite many international treaties and recommendations, insufficient attention has been paid by Irish policy makers to implement strategies that address the needs of older economic immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers. This is linked with evidence that these groups remain at risk of poverty and social exclusion.

Orla O'Donovan describes in Chapter 8 the cultural shifts brought about by the antidementia drug controversy, which emerged across Europe as governmental agencies tried to restrict the use of new (and expensive) pharmacological treatments for Alzheimer's disease. She views this as an example of ‘significant discrepancies between expert and patient assessments of medical technologies’, which are likely to become increasingly frequent, and attempts to extract policy lessons in the contemporary context in which public drug bills are spiralling.

Chapter 9 by Suzanne Quin presents the ongoing challenges for the funding and delivery of health care in the coming decades in Ireland, with particular references to both the projected demographic pressures and the need to root out ageism. Three main points are made: (a) the need to redefine what old age in the context of health care is; (b) the need to focus on health promotion, primary care and independent living and minimise unnecessary acute hospital care; and (c) the need to develop appropriate mental health services for older people.

Chapter 10 by Anne O'Connor examines the issue of people in Ireland living with disabilities (physical or mental), not only from the perspective of those who experience ‘disability with ageing’, but also from the point of view of those who ‘age with a disability’. In the face of concerns that discrepancies in the availability and level of care are impacting on the quality of life of people with disabilities, she reviews relevant national and international policy. She concludes by echoing the evidence-based recommendations by the Irish National Council on Ageing and Older People (2001, 2005), namely: (a) expand the delivery of multi-disciplinary home-based care, as dictated by older people's preferences; (b) combat the stigma associated to disability; (c) address the lack of access to transportation, and (d) favour the inclusion of older and disabled people in the workforce.

John Brennan presents in Chapter 11 policy issues on the provision of personal social services (‘social care’), and he concludes that Ireland is no different from the rest of Europe in that the same themes, concerns and debates are emerging on the quality, extent of and sustainability of these services. An interesting point is made that Ireland can be likened to some southern European countries in that it has strong cultural support for informal care. He argues that whilst various policy documents have echoed these preferences, ‘the rhetoric has not been matched by the reality on the ground’ and failures of policy implementation continue to be manifest.

Finally, Anne O'Loughlin outlines in Chapter 12 national and international developments in elder abuse policy, an important emerging aspect of ageing policy, which touches upon the concepts of ageism, citizenship and social inclusion. She describes the steps that the Irish authorities are taking to raise awareness of elder abuse, particularly amongst healthcare staff, and outlines the next steps forward in the development of a national coordinated anti-abuse strategy.

Ageing and Social Policy in Ireland reads well and provides a very good overview of the challenges that Irish social policy is facing and will continue to face in the years to come. The main strengths of the book are its clarity, non-technicality and good balance between data and commentaries. In addition, there is a very visible editorial aim to place all the chapters within wider international frameworks. The only downside is that the reader sometimes cannot obviate a touch of political pessimism in some commentaries. In any case, the book will undoubtedly be a great resource for its intended audience and I highly recommend it to anyone interested in Irish and/or European comparative Social Policy.