Reforms aimed at improving productivity will form the basis of multi-annual funding in future years, Minister Jack Chamber said
More than €27 billion has been allocated to health services next year in a record Budget package, the Government has announced.
The funding is an increase of €1.5 billion on this year’s allocation, which will lead to an additional 3,370 full-time equivalent staff being added to the public health workforce.
An additional 220 acute hospital beds have also been promised (excluding beds in the new National Children’s Hospital) , along with 280 community beds, 500 more nursing home places and an extra 1.7 million home support hours.
However, Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers said the impact of how this record budget will improve overall productivity will be closely scrutinised.
“The value of this record level of health investment needs to be fully realised with a focus on productivity, efficiency and better financial governance,” he said.
“These changes will create the basis to establish a more multi-annual structure of funding for health.”
He went on to outline a number of reforms as key to improving overall performance in the health sectors. These include ongoing decentralisation of services to the HSE regions, more evening and weekend work, improved financial management and control, and investment in digital health initiatives aimed at improving efficiencies.
More than €3.8 billion has been allocated to disability services. More than 250 new residential care places have been promised next year, bringing the overall number of places to over 9,000.
Around 1,400 young people finishing school will be supported with day service places, along with 50 additional places for older adults.
Acknowledging the severe backlog in families waiting on assessments of need, the Government has promised to fund an additional 6,500 private assessments next year.
“To drive reform, a dedicated unit has been established in the department to lead a full review of Ireland’s disability service model,” Minister Chambers said.
“This unit will work hand-in-hand with disabled people, their families, and representative organisations to shape a long-term vision for services to 2030.”
Elsewhere, 50 cents was added to the price of a pack of 20 cigarettes, with no changes made to alcohol excise duties.
Funding has also been provided to create an additional 1,100 third-level places in key health and social care professions.
The Government has committed to the expansion of mental health services including suicide prevention, increased access to CAMHS services and Traveller mental health initiatives.
The €27.4 billion healthcare package includes €1.56 billion in capital funding, an increase of €100 million on 2025. This is part of a proposed €9.25 billion spend on health capital projects between 2026 and 2030, and includes investments in digital health, a new National Maternity Hospital, the opening of new surgical hubs and elective hospitals, and the updating of ambulance infrastructure.
