Budget 2027 Delivers Record €29.1 Billion Investment in Health Services
8 October 2026
Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD has welcomed the significant health investment secured under Budget 2027, which will provide €29.1 billion for health services and support continued improvements in access to care, increased capacity and the delivery of more services closer to home.
The Budget includes an additional €1.76 billion in health funding, helping to expand services across hospitals, community care, mental health, older persons' care and digital health. The investment will build on progress already made across the health service while preparing for future healthcare needs.
A major focus of Budget 2027 is improving patient access to timely care. Funding will support the expansion of Surgical Hubs, including additional operating theatres and six-day working, helping more patients receive planned procedures sooner. Additional evening and weekend activity across outpatient clinics, diagnostics and theatres will make better use of existing facilities and equipment, reducing waiting times and increasing capacity.
The Budget also strengthens the shift towards care in the community. New funding will support the opening of additional hospital, mental health and community capacity, while 1.8 million additional home support hours, enhanced dementia services and increased investment in community-based care will help more people remain independent in their own homes.
Mental health services will see significant expansion, including nationwide coverage of the Suicide Crisis Assessment Nurse programme, new Crisis Resolution Teams in rural areas, six additional Solace peer-support cafés and four new Jigsaw youth mental health services. Additional clinicians will also support new ADHD pathways and enhanced CAMHS services.
Children and families will benefit from improved access to oral healthcare and orthodontic services, with targeted measures to reduce waiting lists and improve access to more complex dental treatment.
Budget 2027 also continues the Government's commitment to digital health transformation, supporting the rollout of the HSE Health App, shared care records, ePrescribing and progress towards Ireland's first national Electronic Health Record.
Commenting on the announcement, Minister Carroll MacNeill TD said:
"Budget 2027 is about helping people in the here and now, while planning for the future. This €29.1 billion allocation is focused on what matters most to patients: earlier access, more care closer to home and better use of our staff, facilities and equipment."
The Minister said the investment would support a more responsive and efficient health service by expanding community, home-based and virtual care options, while ensuring hospitals can focus specialist resources on those who need them most.
With record investment across the health sector, Budget 2027 represents another important step towards delivering a modern, patient-centred healthcare system that provides faster access to care, stronger community services and better health outcomes for people across Ireland.