Press release
Minister for Health publishes Health in Ireland Key Trends 2023
From Department of Health
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Health
Published on
Last updated on
Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has today published Health in Ireland Key Trends 2023. This publication records the significant improvements in health outcomes over the past decade and highlights challenges in the access of timely and efficient healthcare. The information provides the background and context for the Department of Health’s work in creating legislation, policy and strategies to address these critical issues.
Highlights from the publication, which covers demographics, population health, hospital and primary care, health sector employment and expenditure, include:
Minister Donnelly said:
"This report gives us the opportunity to assess the performance of our health service and reflects on the health status of our people over time.
"Our health service is continuing to deliver outcomes that are in many instances among the best in Europe. Ireland is among a small group of seven EU countries where life expectancy at birth is above 82. This is the result of significant improvements in our mortality rates for many of the common causes of death over the past decade. That this has happened in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic is a very encouraging sign of the resilience of our health service."
Minister Donnelly added:
"Even as the pandemic recedes from public consciousness, other challenges await us. Key Trends shows us that the largest proportionate increase in population over the next two decades is projected to occur among those aged 85 years and older, with the number of people aged 65 and over projected to grow from one-fifth to over one-third of the working population in the same period. Such demographic changes require a health service that is ever more efficient and productive; for this, timely and quality data is essential. The Health Information Bill provides a framework for the collection of healthcare data, enhancing patient care and safety, supporting public health management, enabling better planning and delivery of health services, supporting research and innovation, and facilitating the digital transformation of healthcare."