The Irish Longitudinal study on Ageing

TILDA is a major inter-institutional initiative led by Trinity College Dublin which aims to produce a massive improvement in the quantity and quality of data, research and information relating to older people and ageing in Ireland.

Eligible respondents for this study include individuals aged 50 and over and their spouses or partners of any age. The study will involve interviews on a two yearly basis with a sample cohort of 8,504 people aged 50 and over (or their spouses/partners) and resident in Ireland, collecting detailed information on all aspects of their lives, including the economic (pensions, employment, living standards), health (physical, mental, service needs and usage) and social aspects (contact with friends and kin, formal and informal care, social participation). Both survey interviews and physical and biological measurements are utilised. The study is closely harmonised with leading international research so as to ensure adoption of best practice and comparability of results.

The TILDA project is funded by Irish Life, Atlantic Philanthropies, and the Department of Health & Children. The support of these early funders allowed this project to be conceived, planned, and implemented.

Accessing the data

The TILDA team are pleased to announce that the first wave of data from the project is now available for request via ISSDA for bona fide research projects only. The initial release will consist of data from the CAPI and SCQ (self-completion questionnaire) administered surveys. Update 23-April-2012: the first section of health data has now been added to the TILDA dataset - see documentation below for further information. Additional health data will be added in future releases.

To access the Anonymised Microdata File (AMF) for Wave 1, please complete a data contract (see documentation below), sign it, and send it to ISSDA at the following address:

Irish Social Science Data Archive
B105 Geary Institute
University College Dublin
Belfield
Dublin 4
Ireland

The data will be encrypted and password protected before being dispatched to requesters. Instructions on accessing the data will be sent by separate email.

Data will be disseminated on receipt of a fully completed, signed form. Please note that incomplete or unsigned forms will be returned to the data requester for completion.