The Trinity Centre for Ageing and Intellectual Disability (TCAID) Policy Lab
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Co-creating policy, transforming lives
The TCAID Policy Lab is where research meets action. Bringing together community members and academics to work side by side, we are committed to true co-creation, with people with intellectual disabilities and their families as central partners rather than on the sidelines. Thier lived lived experience, combined with academic expertise, innovative services, and government engagement, informs every stage of our work. Through this approach, we aim to build a new ecosystem for policy research and innovation in Ireland and beyond.
What We Do
The Policy Lab is:
- Community-centred – rooted in lived experience, prioritising what matters most to people ageing with intellectual disabilities
- Collaborative & Multidisciplinary – bringing together expertise from health, social care, policy, law, data, and beyond.
- Exploratory & Applied – a safe space to test, adapt, and co-create solutions to real-world policy challenges.
- Impact-driven – turning evidence into better services, stronger systems, and policies that transform lives.
Building on flagship initiatives like IDS-TILDA, the Policy Lab cultivates deep relationships with people with intellectual disabilities and their families, NGOs, service providers, the Health Service Executive, and government departments. Together, we are shaping a new ecosystem of policy research and development in Ireland and internationally.
Our Ethos
People at the Centre
“Nothing about us without us – lived experience drives all we do.”
Collaborative & Multidisciplinary
“Working across research, health, NGOs, and government.”
Turning Research into Action
“Evidence translated into better services, systems, and policy.”
Ageing with Pride
“Supporting people with intellectual disabilities to age well, age with dignity, and add life to years.”
Through strong Public and Patient Involvement (PPI), the Policy Lab ensures that policies and practices are not just about people with intellectual disabilities, but are created with them, for them, and guided by their insights. The TCAID Policy Lab is more than a research hub – it is a movement for inclusive, evidence-informed policymaking, dedicated to building a future where ageing with an intellectual disability means living with dignity, opportunity, and voice.
IDS-TILDA’s Presence in National and International Policy
Explore how IDS-TILDA has been cited in national and international policy documents, highlighting its role in informing evidence-based decision-making.
2024
Joint Committee on Disability Matters debate - Wednesday, 23 Oct 2024
Joint Committee on Disability Matters debate - Wednesday, 23 Oct 2024.
NIPEC - Equity of Access and Outcome
The future role of RNLDs in supporting people with learning disabilities to achieve the best health possible.
Joint Committee on Disability Matters debate - Wednesday, 29 May 2024
Joint Committee on Disability Matters debate - Wednesday, 29 May 2024.
Annual Report 2024
National Disability Authority Annual Report
Annual Report 2024 - Irish Version
National Disability Authority Annual Report
2023
Submissions to the DCEDIY Statement of Strategy 2021 - 2023 | Thematic Analysis
Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth Statement of Strategy - Ráiteas Straitéise 2021-2023
Annual Report 2023
National Disability Authority Annual Report
2022
The Future Funding of Higher Education
Annual Report 2022
National Disability Authority Annual Report
Annual Report 2022 - Irish
National Disability Authority Annual Report
Research Needs for Wave 5: Age 25, Cohort 98
This research needs report is intended to inform the nature and content of the fifth wave of data collection at 25 years of age for Cohort 98.
Oral health care in Europe: financing, access and provision
Oral health care in Europe: Financing, access and provision
This Health Systems in Transition (HiT) review investigates a broad range of topics of oral health care across Europe, ranging from oral health and inequalities, coverage gaps, financial protection and unmet needs, preventive community care, workforce, corporate dentistry and cross-border care.
2021
Women’s Health Discussions
Focus groups about keeping people safe when they use health services – Easy Read Report
Report on Adult Safeguarding Focus Groups with Health and Social Care Service Users. Executive Summary
Report on Adult Safeguarding Focus Groups with Health and Social Care Service Users
HSE National MHID Model of Service
Joint Committee on Disability Matters debate - Thursday, 2 Dec 2021
Joint Committee on Disability Matters debate - Thursday, 2 Dec 2021
Transforming Lives - Working Group 1 Report on Future Needs for Disability Services
Disability Capacity Review to 2032 - A Review of Social Care Demand and Capacity Requirements to 2032
Ireland’s first report to the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
Annual Report 2021
National Disability Authority Annual Report
Annual Report 2021 Irish
Intelligenzminderung
National Disability Authority Annual Report
2020
The Experience and Risk of Homelessness for People with Intellectual Disabilities and/or Autism and their Families in Dublin. A Mixed Methods Study
Innovation 2020 Progress Reports
Initial report submitted by Ireland under article 35 of the Convention, due in 2020 :Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
Draft Initial Report under the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
Annual Report 2020
National Disability Authority Annual Report
Tercera época Enero-junio 2020
2019
Smile agus Sláinte: National Oral Health Policy
The Smile agus Sláinte: National Oral Health Policy aims to ensure accessible, adaptable oral health services for all and to reduce inequalities by supporting vulnerable groups. It is evidence-based, shaped by research, professional input, and public consultation, and aligns with broader government health strategies like Healthy Ireland and Sláintecare.
Smile agus Sláinte – National Oral Health Policy
Joint Committee on Health debate - Wednesday, 26 Jun 2019
Joint Committee on Health debate - Wednesday, 26 Jun 2019
Annual Report 2019
National Disability Authority Annual Report
Health Matters Winter 2019
2018
Care and support of people growing older with learning disabilities
Evidence-based recommendations on care and support for adults with learning disabilities as they grow older.
Positive Ageing Indicators 2018
Quality of life outcomes and costs associated with moving from congregated settings to community living arrangements for people with intellectual disability. An evidence review
Guidance Document Presenting a Framework for Discipline-specific Research Data Management
Science Europe presents a framework for the creation of domain-specific protocols for Research Data Management (RDM).
2017
The National Carers’ Strategy – Fifth Progress Report 2017
Review of current practice in the use of wardship for adults in Ireland
Annual Report 2017
National Disability Authority Annual Report
Annual Report 2017 Irish
National Disability Authority Annual Report
2016
Understanding Family Strategies that Enable Long Term and Sustainable Home Environments for Older People with an Intellectual Disability
Family Carers’ Experiences of Caring for a Person with Intellectual Disability
Planning for Health - Trends and Priorities to inform Health Service Planning 2016
Social Care Division Operational Plan 2016
Social Care Operational Plans 2016
Guidance Document 3; Loss and Grief in Dementia
This document is the third in a series of seven guidance documents for healthcare staff in promoting and enabling excellence in end-of-life care for people with dementia. This guidance outlines the types of loss and grief associated with dementia and outlines best practice for health and social care professionals in supporting patients and families through grief associated with dementia.
The employment equality directive and supporting people with psychosocial disabilities in the workplace : a legal analysis of the situation in the EU Member States.
CHO Area 2 Operational Plan 2016
National Service Plan 2016
Mental health problems in people with learning disabilities: prevention, assessment and management
Evidence-based recommendations on preventing, assessing and managing mental health problems in people with learning disabilities in all settings.
Highlights
- National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030
- Breaking Barriers: Enhancing Cancer Care for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities
- World Oral Health Day 2025 Feature #WOHD25
- Presentation to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters
Policy must be driven by evidence, and that evidence must be influenced and underpinned by the voices of those impacted. The aim of the TCAID Policy Hub is used the evidence we generate to bring knowledge to action, ensuring that people with intellectual disabilities and their families are seen, heard, and included in the policy decisions that shape their lives.Dr. Martin McMahon, Director of the TCAID Policy Lab
Join us in building policies that are co-created, evidence-informed, and transformative.