Budget 2027 Investment - Health and Disability

Posted on
complete health

People should be assured of the required treatment and care in times of illness or vulnerability. The standard of care is dependent to a great degree on the resources made available, which in turn are dependent on the expectations of society. Budget 2027 should make the necessary investment to futureproof our healthcare system to meet the demands of a growing population. 

Access to Care

Issues of access contribute to the poorer health outcomes. Ireland has a high proportion of people reporting unmet need for medical care compared with the EU average which is linked to persistent structural barriers in the healthcare system, notably long waiting times for public services and limited primary care coverage. 

According to data from the National Treatment Purchase Fund there were 669,506 people waiting for outpatient’s treatment in May 2026, with 50,970 patients (including almost 5,000 children) waiting for 18 months or more for treatment. The numbers on waiting lists have been very high over many years, and have increased by more than 14 per cent since May 2025. The persistent delays in accessing public health appointments, lack of step-down facilities to facilitate appropriate discharge, and unmet needs for medical care because of delayed or missed consultations are likely to lead to poorer health outcomes in the future. Government needs to urgently address these inequalities in the health service and implement a programme that provides access on the basis of need.

Transforming Acute and Community Care Services

Irish hospitals are working near full capacity. The occupancy rate for acute care beds is among the highest in OECD countries, and while having a high utilisation rate of hospital beds can be a sign of hospital efficiency, it can also mean that too many patients are treated at the secondary care level. In order to improve access to care, and to progress a shift to a model that prioritises primary and social care Social Justice Ireland is proposing that €300m of windafall revenue be invested in Sláintecare infrastructure with a focus on Enhanced Community Care in Budget 2027. 

The model of healthcare used in Ireland is defined by an over-emphasis on hospitals and acute care, rather than primary and social care being more central. Social Justice Ireland welcomes continued resourcing for the rollout of the 96 Community Healthcare Networks and the 30 Community Specialist Teams for Older People & Chronic Disease. However, significant sustained investment in General Practice, Primary Care & Community Based Services is required in conjunction with the implementation of the Regional Health Areas to ensure the transformation of the health service in line with Sláintecare.

Proposals:  To address the inequalities in our healthcare system and develop a system that is fit for purpose for all, in Budget 2027 Government needs to:

  • Invest €50m in the further expansion of the Enhanced Community Care Programme and rollout of Community Health Networks to alleviate pressure on acute services and ensure treatment is provided at the appropriate level of need. 
  • Invest a minimum of €50m annually in providing Universal Access to GP Care while expanding the number of GP and Practice Teams in line with the shift towards Primary Care & Community Based services envisaged in Sláintecare. 
  • Invest €30m in Community Nursing Facilities and rehabilitation beds. 

Mental Health 

According to the latest available data, the HSE Management Data Report for November 2025, 4,375 children and young people were awaiting supports from the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS), with over 13 per cent waiting for 12 months or more for supports.  Government must ensure that the full allocation for Sharing the Vision is fully invested into our mental health services with a focus on addressing staffing issues and unfilled posts. 

 Persons with a disability and carers

Persons with disabilities face substantial challenges accessing appropriate services, and have significantly higher poverty and deprivation rates than the national average. The Programme for Government contains a welcome commitment to a cost of disability payment. However, substantial additional investment in services, and adequate social welfare supports is required.

Proposal: To support disabled people to live fulfilling lives within their communities, Government must:

  • Introduce a cost of disability payment of €20 per week at a cost of €242m in Budget 2027.
  • Establish a pathway to ensure tapered of benefits to Persons with a Disability on taking up employment (€1m in first year).
  • Increase investment in disability services, including respite and personal assistant services (cost of €25m). 
  • Invest €20m in services to support people with a disability to live independently in their community 
  • Allocate €10m for implementation of the UNCRPD.

Carers provide a huge service to the State. According to the latest census data there are over 299,000 unpaid carers in Ireland providing unpaid care each week, an increase of 53 per cent in six years. 

Proposal: To acknowledge and support the work of carers in Ireland, at the very minimum in Budget 2027 Government must: 

  • Expand the Free Travel scheme to include people in receipt of Domiciliary Care Allowance (cost of €6m).
  • Increase the annual Carer's Support Grant to €2,150 (at a cost of €25m).
  • Implement an independent review of Carer’s Allowance.
  • Increase the Domiciliary Care Allowance to €400 per month (at a cost of €15m).
  • Pilot a Universal Basic Services and a Universal Basic Income Scheme for Carers at an initial cost of €5m in line with the Programme for Government Commitment to fully fund the Carers Guarantee.