There will be a doubling of people aged over 65 in the next 20 years in Ireland, creating a massive strain on society and on palliative care, according to the Hospice Foundation.

The change is due to Ireland’s falling fertility which is well below replacement rate and which the Government appears helpless to reverse.

The “Dying, Death and Bereavement in Ireland” report says Ireland’s over-65 population is expected to surpass 1.5 million by the year 2046. While currently around 35,000 people die in Ireland each year, this is expected to grow to 49,000 by 2046.

The number of people dying in Ireland from a condition that will require general and specialist palliative care is set to increase by 57% in the next 20 years from 25,669 to 40,355.

Yet, the number of workers paying taxes to fund the health and other social services for the elderly will decline unless large numbers of immigrant workers come to the country, or the fertility rate reverses course and starts rapidly increasing.