Older Persons Services Budget 2026
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From: Department of Health
- Published on: 8 October 2025
- Last updated on: 9 October 2025
Minister for Older People Kieran O’Donnell TD has announced that there will be an increase of €215 million for older persons services in 2026, representing a rise of over 7% on 2025.
Minister O’Donnell said:
“I am delighted to have secured significant additional funding for older persons services. This makes budget 2026 the largest ever for older persons services with over €3 billion allocated to maintain and further enhance older persons services in 2026”.
The figure includes €82 million in additional funding for home support. Home support is a key priority for Government. It will support more people to access services that help them to live well in their own homes and communities. This funding will provide for an increase of 1.7 million hours in 2026 to provide for 26.7 million hours of home support for next year.
Minister O’Donnell added:
“I am delighted that I have secured this funding. The additional hours will be delivered with a focus on addressing persistent waiting lists in certain areas of the country.”
€92 million additional funding will also be allocated to the Fair Deal scheme to support the nursing home sector to expand services and improve quality. It includes providing 500 more people with financial support to access long-term residential care.
Minister O’Donnell said:
“This is the largest ever funding increase in the Fair Deal budget, which is providing for a significant increase in the numbers of older people entering the scheme and helping our nursing homes to meet rising costs.”
The Government is also committed to further investment in residential care through the opening of new beds in Community Nursing Units and a new scheme to enhance the resident environment in nursing homes.
Speaking on new funding for Meals on Wheels Minister O’Donnell said:
“I have secured a substantial €2 million in additional funding for Meals on Wheels services, which is a priority for Government, and of great benefit to thousands of older people. This is over a 30% increase in funding on 2025, which currently delivers 2.7 million meals to 18,000 people.”
The Government has allocated an additional €2.3 million in funding towards improved access to diagnostics and supports for people with dementia.
Minister O’Donnell said:
“This funding includes the National dementia registry, memory assessment and support services, supporting the Alzheimer’s Society of Ireland expansion of day care in the community and in the home and will also see the total number of dementia advisers nationwide increasing to 36.”
Minister O’Donnell also confirmed that a minimum of 22% of all new home support hours will be ringfenced for people with dementia.
Other announced funding includes an increase in the provision of transitional care funding and transitional care complex funding by €13.8 million in 2026 to make sure that older people get the care they need leaving hospital. Investment in community services for older people will also see targeted expansion of day services, respite for carers and the care and repair scheme.