Press release
Ministers for Health announce biggest investment in Ireland’s Health and Social Care Services in history of the state
From Department of Health
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Health
Published on
Last updated on
The Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, Minister of State with responsibility for Mental Health and Older People, Mary Butler, Minister of State with Responsibility for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy, Frank Feighan, and Minister of State with responsibility for Disability, Anne Rabbitte, have announced the single largest investment in the Irish Health and Social Care Services in history in Budget 2023.
This €23.4 billion investment follows record investment in the health service in 2021 and 2022. These investments have ensured the continued implementation of Sláintecare by delivering a range of capacity and reform measures ensuring that the quality of services continues to be enhanced, maintaining focus on patient safety and improving access and affordability of healthcare to deliver the best patient outcomes.
Minister Donnelly said:
"This is the third health budget in a row to significantly increase investment in our health and social care services. Since 2020, we have delivered approximately 2,000 acute, critical care and community beds to date, with a further 400 due to come on stream before the end of 2022. Approximately 250 further beds will be delivered in 2023.
"Our health workforce is continuing to grow at a rapid pace with the workforce expected to hit 137,000 by the end of this year. Budget 2023 sees funding for a further expansion of up to 6,000 Whole Time Equivalent (WTE) in 2023 to continue this government’s significant investment in the Irish healthcare system.
"This investment will also continue the roll-out of National Strategies and Services including in the areas of cancer, maternity, critical care, dementia, trauma, National Ambulance Service, cardiac, gynaecology and oral health as well as the Women’s Health Action Plan."
Minister Butler said:
"Budget 2023 maintains a focus on vulnerable groups and including additional supports for Traveller mental health services and the expansion of Peer support and Recovery services and the roll-out of more digital mental health supports. I have secured €14 million for New Mental Health Developments including Traveller Mental Health; online CBT; Crisis Resolution Services; and enhanced services in the areas of recovery, employment and tenancy supports for those with mental health difficulties.
"I have also secured €4 million for roll-out of a new national safeguarding policy for the health and social care sector, and expanded HSE safeguarding operations will be supported through education, training and research."
Minister Feighan said:
"I am delighted to announce funding in excess of €20 million for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy in Budget 2023. This includes additional supports to be made available from a once-off fund to organisations to assist in the context of the significant challenges which they are facing currently.
"Funding will support core Healthy Ireland initiatives like the Sláintecare Healthy Communities programme that provide community support projects on parenting, nutrition, Making Every Contact Count, and QUIT smoking. I have also secured €3 million to increase and improve access to healthcare services for Travellers, people who are homeless and refugees.
"Under the National Drug Strategy, I also secured €3.5 million in additional supports for community and voluntary organisations providing drug, alcohol and inclusion services and €4 million to expand community and residential services."
Minister Rabbitte said:
"In Budget 2023, I have secured €109 million to support Existing Levels of Service (ELS). This investment ensures the continuation of essential core services including residential and emergency residential care, respite, as well as facilitating the move of younger people away from nursing homes to more suitable residential locations Investment in new developments will total €29.3 million.
"I am also delighted to announce investment of €11.7 million in once-off funding to address backlogs in Disability services in relation to Assessments of Needs."
Funding of €69.2 million is being allocated to Women’s Health across Budget 2023. This investment will fund a range of measures across several areas including: