Five years of rapid social and economic progress have changed the face of this country. Employment levels have surged ahead. Unemployment levels have plummeted. Even the most negative of commentators accept that Ireland is booming.

But there is considerable evidence that one very significant and substantial group in Irish society - the over-55s - are not sharing as fully as they might in our new-found economic prosperity.

Labour force participation rates are disturbingly low for those in the older age groups:

55 per cent for the 55-59 age group.

36 per cent for the 60-64 group.

8 per cent for those aged 65 and over.

Participation rates for women are, in all cases, significantly lower than those for men in the same age categories.

These figures are, to some extent, a legacy of leaner economic times. It was older workers who tended to be the first casualties of economic war. When times were tough in the 1980s and 1990s, many people in their 40s and 50s were made redundant.

Many of these people never succeeded in reintegrating themselves into the workforce. And when the tide of economic opportunity eventually turned, they were unable to take advantage of it.

People today are living fuller and healthier lives than ever. The over-55s have a huge amount to offer in terms of skills and experience and they want to participate. Society badly needs those skills and that experience. And yet this valuable resource is left unused.

Clearly, there are many retired people with adequate pensions who have put their working days behind them and who have no desire to return to a job.

But there are tens of thousands who would love to participate, who would love to contribute, who would love to get back into the world of work. Why can't they? Because they run up against a range of barriers.

They face many problems:

a lack of computer skills can close off a wide range of employment opportunities for them.

women who left the public service several years ago because of the so-called marriage bar face major obstacles if they choose to return to their old jobs, being forced to start again at the bottom of the ladder and losing their original gratuities.

employers may be prejudiced against older job applicants.

job opportunities based on a rigid 40-hour week may be unattractive to people who, for various reasons, may want to work much shorter hours.

people are effectively forced to retire at 65 even though they may be on top of their job and ready, willing and able to continue for at least another five years.

One of the biggest difficulties facing this country at the moment is the need to provide for the housing needs of a rapidly expanding economy.

One of the major constraints in this area is a shortage of skilled and experienced planners. Are there not many retired planners out there who could play a huge role in helping us to deal with the housing situation?

These are not insurmountable problems: they can be solved. But we will solve them only if we are prepared to make the next decade an age of opportunity for the over-55s in Irish society, a time when government makes a real effort to address their needs and to tailor public policies to suit them.

Our older people, with their huge reservoir of experience, are one of the most valuable resources that we have as a society. One of the great challenges facing government now is to find the key that unlocks their full potential and allows them to participate as fully as they want to in our current economic prosperity.

First, we must put a major effort into equipping our over-55s so that they can take full advantage of the opportunities that are being presented by our dynamic and prosperous modern economy. I will be bringing specific proposals in this area to Cabinet during the next few months.

Second, we must endeavour to create a more flexible workplace. Both government and private-sector employers will have to devise employment conditions and work packages that are responsive to the needs of older workers.

Third, we must examine the whole issue of compulsory retirement age and see if, in a spirit of innovation and imagination, we can come up with ways of allowing people to continue to work after they have passed the age of 65.

Fourth, we need to raise the awareness of employers - including public-sector employers - about the contribution older workers can make. We must move away from prejudice and promote a more positive understanding of the potential of the over-55s.

The Progressive Democrats have always believed in opportunity. Now, at a time when our economy has never seen such success and prosperity, it is important that all sections of Irish society are given the opportunity to share fully in that success and that prosperity.

Mary Harney is Tanaiste and leader of the Progressive Democrats