Secretary for Labour & Welfare Dr Law Chi-kwong spoke at a luncheon on the sidelines of the Joint World Conference on Social Work, Education & Social Development 2018 in Dublin today.

He addressed social work personnel from around the world on Hong Kong's promotion of gerontechnology.

Dr Law is in Ireland to attend the conference, which runs from July 4 to 7.

In the past two days, Dr Law and Director of Social Welfare Carol Yip also visited various institutions involved in elderly care services or planning.

They went to the Mercer's Institute for Successful Ageing that provides clinical care to the elderly and conducts research on the challenges of ageing.

They visited the Louth County Council where they were briefed on how elderly-friendly initiatives were integrated into community planning, such as outdoor space, transportation, housing, employment and health service.

The council's age-friendly programme is the first of its kind in Ireland.

At Great Northern Haven, a smart housing demonstration project in the NetwellCASALA research centre, they were briefed on the use of technologies for the self-management of chronic patients in home care settings.

The research centre is a joint venture between a local institute and the government that focuses on ageing in place.

Dr Law also had dinner with some Hong Kong youths who have travelled to Dublin through the Hong Kong-Ireland Working Holiday Scheme.