Secretary for Labour & Welfare Dr Law Chi-kwong toured employment services and dementia care facilities in Dublin yesterday.

He and Director of Social Welfare Carol Yip met Minister for Employment Affairs & Social Protection of Ireland Regina Doherty.

They discussed the employment policies and social welfare systems of Hong Kong and Ireland, along with retirement protection policies in an ageing society.

Dr Law was briefed on the development of a defined contribution system to make retirement protection more sustainable.

Issues related to challenges in labour supply and demand caused by an ageing population and technology, particularly artificial intelligence, were also discussed.

Irish officials shared their experience on the extension of the retirement age, saying the average life expectancy in Ireland is about 81.5 years, slightly lower than Hong Kong's 84.

They also discussed ways to provide support for disabled workers.

Dr Law and Ms Yip then visited the Alzheimer Society of Ireland which works with day care centres, home care services, carer support groups and respite centres to provide care for elderly people with dementia and support for their families.

Dr Law also met the Charge d'Affaires of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Ireland Yang Hua.