Minister for Health signs the Stroke Action Plan for Europe and announces intention to develop Ireland’s next national stroke strategy
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From: Department of Health
- Published on: 23 March 2026
- Last updated on: 23 March 2026
The Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD has signed the Stroke Action Plan for Europe (SAPE) and announced plans to develop Ireland’s next National Stroke Strategy.
The new strategy will be developed in consultation with patients, academia, advocacy, clinicians and policy makers. It will also support Ireland in aligning with the SAPE.
The aim of the SAPE is to improve the entire stroke care pathway, from prevention and early treatment to support and after-care. It will improve outcomes for patients and carers and is recommended as a cost-effective measure by the European Stroke Organisation. By signing the Plan, Minister Carroll MacNeill sets the direction for the development of future stroke strategy in Ireland, recognising the unique needs of those who suffer a stroke.
The next stroke strategy will be developed in tandem with the Programme for Government commitment to develop a Cardiovascular Plan. This recognises that there are shared common risk factors between cardiovascular disease, stroke and other common non-communicable diseases. However, the development of the next Stroke Strategy will ensure the unique care needs of people who suffer a stroke are recognised and that our services are future proofed against the predicted rise in cases of stroke over the next two decades.
Minister Carroll MacNeill said:
“I’ve signed the Stroke Action Plan for Europe in recognition of the high burden of stroke on individuals, families, carers and society. We know that as our population ages, the incidence of stroke is expected to rise substantially. The Stroke Action Plan for Europe sets out a clear roadmap for the development of evidence-informed stroke policy and services in Ireland to meet our demographic challenges.
“We are already making progress and have invested over €13 million since 2022, investing in stroke prevention through our Chronic Disease Management programme, in our Acute Stroke units and our Early Supported Discharge Team network to support stroke patients to achieve greater independence and better health outcomes.”
Clinical Lead for the HSE’s National Stroke Programme Professor Ronan Collins said:
“Today marks a major milestone in the future direction of stroke care in Ireland. The burden of stroke is enormous on Irish society with one in four of us having a stroke in our lifetime. National and international research now predicts that new cases of stroke could rise by up to up to 59% in the next two decades, depending on our prevention efforts. It is also estimated that stroke may account for up to 4% of healthcare costs.
“The commitment to develop our next National Stroke Strategy to align with the Stroke Action Plan for Europe will future proof our services and reduce the burden of stroke on patients, families and society.”
Director of Advocacy and Patient Support at the Irish Heart Foundation, Chris Macey, said:
“This is a landmark day for stroke care in Ireland and for tens of thousands of people of all ages and walks of life affected by the condition. The signing of the Action Plan marks a solid commitment to the development of comprehensive prevention, acute treatment and rehabilitation services that will minimise death and disability from stroke. Signing the Plan also signifies our commitment to creating post discharge protocols and supports that will help maximise the ability of survivors to live the best lives possible after stroke strikes.”