The newly released 2025 Irish national budget includes substantial increases in funding for health. While direct funding to reduce costs to patients is explicit for some aspects of women’s health, this public funding will also benefit patients who use the health system generally.
Waiting lists will be addressed with significant effort made in human resources and provision of new hospital beds. Furthermore, additional funding has been secured for mental health services as well as older persons services (home support, nursing homes and dementia support). Among other areas, the national cancer strategy received full funding, and injury units benefited also.
The government is commitment to create a tobacco-free Ireland, and developing an awareness campaign, targeted at 12–17-year-olds. Excise duty on cigarettes was also increased, with €1 added to the price of 20 cigarettes. Furthermore, a new tax has been introduced on electronic cigarettes and vaping products.
