Introduction: Reflections on the provision, organisation and management of social care in Ireland

This special edition of Administration is intended as a contribution to ongoing debates at a time when the policy and regulatory framework for social care in Ireland is undergoing significant reform. This reform is necessary in order to both rectify the deficiencies and gaps resulting from past failures as well as enhance capacity to address current and future demands. Future challenges will arise from economic, cultural and socio-demographic changes, but no doubt some will be due to the consequences (intended and unintended) of measures being put in place today or indeed due to failure by policymakers to act on certain issues