Health & Disability

Investing in Your Health

Fine Gael wants you to live a longer, healthier and happier life. We know that continued improvements to our health services are needed to meet the demand, as Ireland’s population continues to grow and age.

Fine Gael is ready to meet this challenge. We will work to ensure quicker access to health care services and better health outcomes for you. We will continue to significantly invest in our health service.

In the first budget of a new government, we will outline our approach to multi-annual funding for our health service, linking it to increased productivity and delivery. This strategy will be a game changer, driving year-on-year improvements that lead to better health outcomes for everyone while providing better value for money.

Sláintecare

Sláintecare is a comprehensive roadmap designed to strengthen Ireland’s health system. Developed through consensus with other parties, and actioned by Simon Harris, it aims to ensure that everyone can access the care they need. Despite global challenges such as the pandemic and the war in Ukraine, significant progress has been made. As we reach the mid-point of this ambitious reform programme, it is essential to continue delivering benefits to our growing and aging population.

Fine Gael will

Grow our health service and assess infrastructure and capacity needs: We will evaluate existing and future demands on our health system within the first year of the new government and plan to increase capacity by 5,000 inpatient hospital beds by 2031.
Drive down waiting lists, open new surgical hubs and elective hospitals: We will establish six surgical hubs in Cork, Dublin (two sites), Galway, Limerick, and Waterford and four new elective hospitals in Cork, Dublin (two sites) and Galway to perform thousands of day case procedures such as cataracts, minor operations, and outpatient appointments each year.
Develop a public workforce plan to enhance care delivery: We will recruit additional doctors, nurses, dentists and health and social care professionals, and create a plan to ensure adequate staffing across acute, primary, and community care, considering population and demographic changes, new clinical programmes and models of care, and reducing our reliance on agency staff and overtime.
Double therapy programme places: We will at least double the number of places in college therapy programmes, such as Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, and Speech and Language Therapy, while expanding training for other allied health professionals.
Increase healthcare training places: We will increase training places for nurses, medicine, dentistry and pharmacy.
Continue to reduce healthcare costs: Building on the abolition of inpatient hospital charges and the extension of free GP care, we will work to further decrease healthcare costs, including capping monthly costs for drugs and medicines. We will undertake a full eligibility review and comparison with European norms to drive down costs for people.
Maintain the Savings and Productivity Taskforce: We will continue to operate this taskforce to improve efficiencies and increase access to healthcare services.
Support innovation in healthcare: We will encourage healthcare professionals to develop better models of care and ways of working by providing funding for testing new approaches and innovations.
Retaining healthcare staff: We will establish a working group to examine the potential for flexible and fair, defined periods of service to the HSE for healthcare graduates.

These initiatives will enhance the efficiency and accessibility of Ireland’s health service, ensuring that all citizens receive the care they need now and in the future.

Preventative Health

Ireland boasts one of the highest life expectancies in Europe, with significant improvements in mortality rates contributing to this achievement. As our population continues to age and grow, it is crucial to protect these gains by promoting healthy lifestyles, preventing chronic diseases, and reducing the impact of chronic conditions. These efforts will help alleviate pressure on our hospital system.

Fine Gael will

Appoint a Commissioner for Positive Ageing: Develop a plan to combat loneliness and isolation among older citizens as first task.
Expand screening age ranges: Broaden eligibility for BreastCheck initially to ages 45-74 and BowelScreen initially to ages 50-74 ensuring it reaches a 60% participation target. We will also keep the further expansion of screening programmes under review, working with affected families and stakeholders to ensure every opportunity to save lives through screening is taken.
Invest in awareness campaigns: Encourage high uptake of screening through targeted communications initiatives.
Introduce new cancer screening programmes: Plan for the implementation of lung, prostate, and gastric cancer screenings.
Implement the Roadmap to Cervical Cancer Elimination: Focus on strategies to reduce cervical cancer rates in Ireland
Expand newborn screening: Enhance early detection practices in accordance with international best practices.
National Brain Health Strategy: Develop and implement a national strategy to improve brain health and reduce dementia incidence.
Publish the National Physical Activity Framework: Promote active lifestyles through the framework for 2024-2040 and the action plan for 2024-2028.
Create a new Obesity Policy and Action Plan: Address overweight and obesity levels to improve health outcomes.
Continue implementing the Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018: Tackle harmful alcohol consumption through effective regulations.
Ban disposable vapes and regulate nicotine products: Protect public health with restrictions on flavours, advertising social media marketing.
Close the gap in health services: Reach underserved communities, including homeless individuals and the Traveller and Roma populations.
Develop and support Music Therapy: We will work to expand the use of music therapy in a range of health and educational settings and age groups and seek to develop standards for the profession.
Examine the national immunisation programme: Examine the potential of including the shingles and RSV vaccines, initially offering them free to at-risk groups.
Ensure adequate vaccination levels: Develop a comprehensive public health campaign aimed at tackling vaccine hesitancy.
Collaborate with community organisations: Make sunscreen available in public spaces through partnerships with local authorities, and initiate a skin cancer awareness cancer.
Address the health effects of social media: Develop a comprehensive health strategy to combat the harms related to social media.
Derma Filler safety: Limit the administration of dermal fillers to trained healthcare professionals

These initiatives will enhance preventative health measures, leading to healthier communities, reduced chronic disease rates, and improved overall well-being for all citizens in Ireland.

Supporting and Expanding GP Services

Secure the future of GP services across the country by agreeing a new contract for GPs providing the supports and additional resources GPs need to thrive, attract new GPs and improve care for patients. As part of this agreement, we will

Expand the Structured Chronic Disease Management Programme: Examine the possibility of expanding this successful programme, which allows patients with chronic conditions to be cared for in GP practices rather than in hospitals, to include more conditions and seek to provide access to all adults with these conditions.
Rural GPs: Provide additional supports for practices in rural areas and areas of increased need.
Newly Qualified GPs: Provide targeted supports aimed at supporting newly qualified GPs to establish themselves in communities across the country, and existing GPs to take on newly qualified GPs.
Comprehensive Women’s Health Programme: Provide a comprehensive women’s health programme supporting women at each stage of life, including advice on contraception, sexually transmitted infections, screening, fertility and pre-conception and two free visits for women experiencing menopause.
HSE-Employed GPs: Recruit HSE-employed GPs to assist with GP cover and to maintain essential services in communities.
Community Diagnostics: Grow the General Practitioner Access to Community Diagnostics (GPACD) Scheme, enabling easier and faster access to radiology scans including X-ray, CT and MRI.
Strategic Review of General Practice: Publish the Strategic Review of General Practice, tasked with examining issues such as GP training, capacity, out of hours services, and eHealth.
Train more Doctors: Grow new entrant places on the GP training scheme by a further 80%.
Promote and assist Graduate Entry medicine: Introduce a tuition fee support scheme for Graduate Entry Medicine students to reduce costs and encourage undergraduates to pursue a career in medicine. Provide more graduate entry medicine programmes focused on preparing students for careers in rural and remote medicine, ensuring those in under-served areas have access to skilled healthcare professionals.

These initiatives aim to enhance the capacity and sustainability of GP services, ensuring that all communities have access to quality healthcare.

Pharmacists

Pharmacists play a crucial role in managing and improving our health, acting as accessible healthcare providers within our communities. To empower pharmacists to deliver more care.

Fine Gael will

Appoint a Chief Pharmacist: We will appoint a chief pharmacist within the Department of Health to set a long term and ambitious strategic vision for community pharmacists and enhance community services.
Implement Expert Taskforce recommendations: We will enhance the role of pharmacists by increasing their prescribing authority and introducing a Common Conditions Service to expand the range of care they provide in the community.
Update pharmacy fee structure: Review the pharmacy fee structure and examine the HSE reimbursement process to reduce administrative burdens.
Medicine Shortages: Support pharmacists to managing medicine shortages.

Implement Expert Taskforce recommendations: We will enhance the role of pharmacists by increasing their prescribing authority and introducing a Common Conditions Service to expand the range of care they provide in the community.

Dentists

To make dental services more accessible for everyone, Fine Gael will work closely with representatives to:

Implement Smile agus Sláinte: We will fully roll out this initiative, which includes preventive dental packages for children and adults, along with workforce planning actions to increase capacity and ensure timely access to local dental services.
Reform the Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS): We will place the DTSS on a sustainable footing to improve service delivery and accessibility for patients.
Hire more public dentists: We will target recruitment efforts to provide dental care in schools, ensuring that children receive essential dental services.
Update the Dentists Act 1985: We will revise this legislation to enhance patient protection and ensure safe practices within the profession.
Recognise and Regulate more Dental Specialities: We will work to acknowledge additional dental specialities, improving the breadth of care available to patients.

These initiatives will enhance access to dental care, promote preventive health, and ensure that all citizens receive the quality dental services they deserve.

Eye care

Review National Clinical Programme for Ophthalmology: We will ensure more eye services are provided in the community allowing hospitals and eye clinics to focus on treating more complex conditions.
Support Community Ophthalmology: Review the Community Ophthalmic Services Medical Treatment Scheme (COSMTS) to provide more medical and minor surgical care to medical card patients outside of the acute care setting.

Primary Care Network

We will increase the number of Primary Care Centres to provide local care, offering an alternative to hospitals for managing many health conditions.

Enhanced Community Care Programme

We will ensure a full complement of staff in this programme, which is vital for increasing healthcare services in the community, particularly for older people and those with chronic conditions, thereby reducing hospital pressures

Statutory Home Care Scheme

We will create a regulated home care scheme to ensure fair access to high-quality homecare services.

Digital Transformation

We are committed to driving the digital transformation of our health service. We will enact the Health Information Bill 2024 and fully fund Digital for Care: A Digital Health Framework for Ireland 2024-2030. This roadmap aims to digitally transform health services in Ireland and improve access for patients by:

Fine Gael will

Launching a National Patient App: This app will give patients easier access to their health information, empowering them to make more informed decisions about their care.
Implementing Shared Care Records: We will integrate patient records and Electronic Health Records to ensure seamless information sharing among healthcare providers.
Expanding virtual care initiatives: We will promote greater use of remote health monitoring and virtual care solutions, moving more healthcare services into the home and community through local community hubs. We will extend and support the use of Virtual Wards enabling patients who would otherwise be in hospital to receive the care, monitoring and treatment they need in their own homes, and ease hospital pressures.
Ensuring national electronic prescribing: We will establish a national system for electronic prescribing to streamline medication management and improve safety.
Support Connected Hubs for telehealth: We will promote the use of Connected Hubs to provide secure and private access to telehealth and remote health services, bringing healthcare closer to people.

These initiatives will significantly enhance the efficiency and accessibility of healthcare services in Ireland, empowering patients and improving health outcomes.

Linking communities

Connect Local Link routes with health services: We will work to integrate Local Link transport routes with health services to improve access for individuals seeking care.

Reducing the Cost of Care

Fine Gael is dedicated to making healthcare more affordable for all citizens.

We will

Expand free GP care for children and young people: We will continue to extend free GP services to all individuals under 18 years of age, ensuring that they receive the healthcare they need without financial barriers.
Reduce the monthly cost of prescription drugs: We will lower the maximum monthly cost of prescription drugs and medicines to €50 and abolish prescription charges, making necessary medications more affordable for families.
Extend access to free contraception: We will provide free contraception to all women over the age of 35, promoting reproductive health and wellbeing.
Provide free Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): We will ensure that HRT is available at no cost to those who need it, supporting women’s health during menopause.
Increase medical card income limits: We will implement progressive increases in medical card income limits to ensure that more individuals and families qualify for essential health services.

These initiatives will help to alleviate the financial burden of healthcare, ensuring that all citizens can access the care they need without facing prohibitive costs.

Better Hospital and Emergency Care

To enhance the quality of care in our health system and reduce overcrowding, Fine Gael will:

Fine Gael will

Open the National Children’s Hospital: We will complete and open this facility to ensure specialised and integrated care for children.
Recruit additional healthcare professionals: We will hire thousands more public-only consultants, nurses, doctors, dentists and health and social care workers to strengthen our healthcare workforce
Increase Sláintecare consultants: We will increase the number of public only consultants working in our hospital.
Expand hospital bed capacity: We will implement the largest expansion of hospital beds in decades, adding at least 5,000 new acute inpatient beds and replacement beds across the country by 2031.
Provide community and critical care beds: We will create more community beds and additional critical care beds to enhance service availability.
Increase capacity in the Mid-West: We will deliver up to 292 beds at UHL by 2028 through the phased opening of two new bed blocks, a rapid build unit and the Inpatient Bed Capacity Expansion Plan. In the immediate term, we will leverage private capacity to ease pressure in the mid-west.
Act on HIQA recommendations: We will implement the recommendations from the HIQA independent statutory review to improve urgent and emergency care in the Mid-West, including the case for a second emergency department.
Implement both the Clarke and Rothwell report recommendations: We will ensure immediate action on the findings of these reports to enhance care quality.
Increase access to diagnostic hours: We will ensure greater access to diagnostics in the evenings and at weekends.
Enhance GP Out of Hours services: We will maintain and expand access to these services to reduce referrals to emergency departments.
Ensure senior decision-makers are on-site in ED: We will increase the number of ED consultants and ensure more senior staff are rostered in emergency departments during weekends and public holidays for better decision-making.
Increase access to emergency care: We will expand emergency departments in Mullingar General Hospital, Portlaoise Hospital, Naas General Hospital, Mater Hospital, and Cork University Hospital, and open 12 injury units in various locations including in Cork, Mayo, Westmeath, Waterford, and Galway.
Standardise opening hours of Injury Units: We will ensure a consistent 7-day service from 8 am to 8 pm, including Bank Holidays.
Invest in the National Ambulance Service: We will enhance funding for the service to ensure investment in ambulance stations and the fleet, education and training and ensure ongoing recruitment of frontline staff to improve mobile urgent and emergency care and enable lifesaving work on the scene.
Empower health and social care professionals: We will promote advanced practice roles for healthcare professionals to enhance service delivery.
Retain staff through improved standards: We will focus on better working conditions and provide education and training supports to strengthen the public health workforce and reduce reliance on contract and agency workers.
Implement recommendations for NCHD workforce: We will act on the final report of the National Taskforce on the Non-Consultant Hospital Doctor (NCHD) Workforce to make the sector more attractive to medical graduates.

These initiatives will strengthen hospital and emergency care services, ensuring timely and high-quality healthcare for all citizens in Ireland.

Reducing Waiting Lists

Fine Gael is committed to addressing waiting lists in our healthcare system to ensure timely access to services for all patients.

We will

Publish multi-annual action plans: We will develop and publish action plans aimed at driving activity to meet the waiting time targets set by Sláintecare.
Deliver additional surgical procedures: We will provide 24,000 more day cases, over 34,000 more minor operations, and 111,000 more outpatient consultations each year through new surgical hubs in Cork, Dublin (two sites), Galway, Limerick, and Waterford. These hubs, will feature dedicated surgical facilities with operating theatres and treatment rooms, significantly reducing waiting lists and times in the short term. We will also explore the potential for additional hubs.
Open new larger elective hospitals: In the longer term, we will establish dedicated capacity in new elective hospitals in Cork, Galway, and Dublin (two sites), enabling the provision of hundreds of thousands of procedures annually. These will be developed in two phases, starting with day cases, diagnostics, and outpatient services, followed by inpatient treatments, ultimately delivering an estimated 977,000 procedures every year.
Ensure wide coverage of Elective Hospitals and Surgical Hubs: We will ensure that both the Elective Hospitals and Surgical Hubs serve as many areas and populations as possible to effectively address waiting lists on a national scale.

These initiatives will enhance access to surgical and outpatient services, significantly reducing waiting times and improving patient outcomes across Ireland.

Paediatric Spinal Surgery

Fine Gael is committed to maintaining the Paediatric Spinal Surgery Management Unit to improve scoliosis and spina bifida services and other specialties.

We will

Resource the Paediatric Spinal Surgery Management Unit: We will ensure continuous funding is allocated to the unit, focusing on reducing waiting lists and enhancing service delivery for paediatric spinal surgery.
Coordinate spinal services across hospitals: This dedicated approach will improve coordination of spinal services, driving continuous improvement and effectively addressing challenges throughout the service.
Increase staffing and resources: We are hiring additional consultants, nurses, and health and social care professionals, extending operating theatre days, and providing a ring-fenced theatre to ensure adequate surgical capacity.
Utilise private hospital capacity: While these improvements are implemented, we will also leverage capacity in private hospitals, both domestically and internationally. Families of children requiring surgery will receive comprehensive support, including assistance with flights, accommodation, travel insurance, and other expenses.
Commit to publish reviews of paediatric orthopaedic surgeries: We will publish the reviews of paediatric orthopaedic surgeries and fully implement their recommendations to enhance care quality.

These initiatives will strengthen paediatric spinal services, ensuring timely access to care and improved outcomes for children requiring surgery.

Our Plan to Beat Cancer

Fine Gael is dedicated to enhancing cancer care to ensure earlier diagnosis, increased treatment access, reduced waiting times, and improved survival rates for patients. We will provide an additional €40 million to fully resource the National Cancer Strategy to support patients and their families while working towards lowering the number of new cancer cases. When the time comes, we will review the outcomes and initiate a successor strategy.

Over the lifetime of the next Government, we will focus on the following areas:

Cancer Prevention

Implement public health measures: We will continue to enforce the Public Health (Alcohol) Act, raise the minimum age for tobacco sales to 21, and collaborate with community organisations to provide free sunscreen.
Regulate vaping products: We will ban disposable vapes and impose restrictions on nicotine inhaling products regarding flavours, and advertising.

Screening

Expand screening age ranges: We will initially broaden the age for BreastCheck to 45-74 years and BowelScreen to 50-74 years, but keep age ranges under review ensuring a target participation rate of 60% for BowelScreen.
Increase awareness and access to screening: We will invest in campaigns to raise awareness and provide funding to ensure under-served groups, including people with disabilities, participate in screening programmes.
Introduce new cancer screening programmes: We will plan for the rollout of screening for lung, prostate, and gastric cancers and implement Ireland’s Roadmap to Cervical Cancer Elimination.
Extend the Laura Brennan HPV Catch-Up Vaccination Programme: We will expand this programme to all individuals under 25 who missed the vaccination at school and raise awareness about its benefits.

Diagnostic Testing

Enhance staffing for diagnostics: We will train, recruit, and retain sufficient staff for endoscopy, colonoscopy, colposcopy, and radiology to meet diagnostic targets.
Protect diagnostic pathways: We will ensure that individuals scheduled for tests are seen within the recommended timeframe.

Workforce and Infrastructure

Ensure adequate staffing in cancer care: We will maintain adequate staffing levels and provide training, improve working conditions, and enhance recruitment to address recruitment and retention challenges.
Review support professionals’ needs: We will review and ensure the appropriate number of dieticians, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, and medical social workers in the public health service to support cancer patients and survivors.
Invest in infrastructure and equipment: We will enhance facilities to meet target treatment times outlined in the National Cancer Strategy and increase annual treatment capacity. We will provide capital funding for radiation oncology services and upgrade chemotherapy wards and laboratory facilities.
Support cancer treatment trials: We will provide resources for more cancer treatment trials in Ireland, benefiting patients domestically and internationally.

New Treatments

Promoting innovative cancer treatments: We will invest and advocate for the development and accessibility of innovative and breakthrough treatments for cancer and other major diseases to improve patient outcomes.

More Effective Supports for Cancer Patients

Support for cancer survivors: We will ensure access to assessment and treatment for long-term effects such as pain, fatigue, and depression.
Implement Psycho-Oncology services: Implement the Model of Care for Psycho-Oncology for patients aged 0-24, addressing the psychological impact of a cancer diagnosis.
Equitable access to support products: We will fund universal access to hairpieces, post-mastectomy products, and specialised bras.
Cancer survivorship programmes: Provide for programmes that assist cancer patients in transitioning from treatment, ensuring easy access to cancer services if needed.
Continue to offer cancer support services: We will continue to invest in cancer support services across the country to assist patients and their families.

These initiatives will enhance cancer care in Ireland, ensuring better prevention, timely access to treatment, and improved quality of life for patients and survivors.

Key Healthcare Strategies

Fine Gael is committed to maximising the benefits of our national healthcare strategies, which include the National Trauma Strategy, National Maternity Strategy, National Stroke Strategy, National Rehabilitation Strategy and Sexual Health initiatives. We will ensure renewed focus on their implementation.

Fine Gael will

Enhance existing healthcare strategies: We will ensure that all national healthcare strategies are fully implemented and updated when necessary to reflect current needs.
Publish a new National Rare Disease Plan: This plan will be resourced to improve the lives of tens of thousands of people living with rare diseases by enhancing diagnosis, coordination, and access to care.
Resource the National Strategy for Accelerating Genetic and Genomic Medicine: We will commit to implementing this strategy along with the National Genetics and Genomics Workforce Plan to advance healthcare in these vital areas.
Support the HSE in serving the transgender community: Ensure a well-governed, patient-centred clinical model of healthcare for the transgender community.
Support Dementia Care: We will continue to resource the model of care for dementia to improve assessment, treatment, care and support for people with dementia and their families. We will develop a National Dementia Registry to map services, identify need and ensure equitable access.

These initiatives will strengthen our healthcare system, improve patient outcomes, and ensure that all individuals receive the quality care they deserve.

European Health Union

Fine Gael is committed to strengthening the European Health Union to enhance health outcomes across the continent.

We will

Promote a European Health Union: Building on the successful model of the ‘EU Beating Cancer Plan,’ we will focus on key areas such as Rare Diseases, Cardiovascular Health, and Mental Health to improve health systems and cooperation among EU member states.

This initiative aims to foster collaboration and share best practices across Europe, ensuring that all citizens benefit from improved health services and outcomes.

Women’s Health

Fine Gael is committed to advancing women’s health by opening the new National Maternity Hospital and driving the implementation of the Women’s Health Action Plan. We aim to empower women and girls while ensuring that future iterations of this plan sustain progress. To achieve this, we will:

Increase the number of ‘see and treat’ gynaecology clinics: We will expand access to immediate care for women’s gynaecological health needs.
Expand endometriosis services: We will enhance support for women with endometriosis and provide support for those with polycystic ovary syndrome.
Ensure free period products availability: We will develop a plan to make free period products accessible in more locations.
Open a public AHR treatment centre: We will establish our first public Assisted Human Reproduction (AHR) treatment centre and increase access to publicly funded IVF services.
Support preconception healthcare: We will empower individuals with the right knowledge and resources before pregnancy to optimise maternal and infant health outcomes and reduce the risk of preventable health complication
Increase support for families experiencing miscarriage: We will require hospitals to improve their environments and spaces within maternity services to better assist and support individuals dealing with pregnancy loss.
Open a Mother and Baby Unit: We will open a mother and baby unit for mothers who require inpatient mental health supports.
Provide more postnatal hubs: We will expand the availability of postnatal support hubs for new mothers and families.
Perinatal Mental Health support: We will continue to increase perinatal mental health midwife posts.
Expand menopause clinics: We will increase our network of specialist menopause clinics and extend their operating hours to better serve women’s needs.

These initiatives will enhance women’s health services in Ireland, ensuring that women receive comprehensive care and support throughout their lives.

Termination Services

Fine Gael is committed to ensuring that all maternity hospitals provide comprehensive termination of pregnancy services in accordance with the 2018 Act.

Ensure full compliance with the 2018 Act: We will work to guarantee that every maternity hospital offers complete termination services, providing women with the care and options they need.

This initiative will enhance access to essential reproductive health services, ensuring that women’s rights and choices are respected in Ireland.

Improving Our Sexual Health

Fine Gael is dedicated to enhancing sexual health services in Ireland. We will:

Publish a new National Sexual Health Strategy: This strategy will support the ongoing delivery and expansion of services for the prevention, detection, and treatment of STIs and HIV, including home testing options.
Eradicate new HIV transmissions by 2030: We will intensify our efforts to eliminate new HIV transmissions in Ireland and ensure adequate resources are provided for peer support networks for individuals living with HIV.
Expand capacity for PrEP services: We will work to increase the availability of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) and reduce waiting times for access to this vital preventive treatment.

These initiatives will improve sexual health outcomes, enhance access to essential services, and support the wellbeing of all individuals in Ireland.

Patient Safety

Patient safety is paramount in the delivery of health services. Fine Gael is committed to ensuring that patient safety legislation is regularly reviewed for its effectiveness.

Fine Gael will

Promote a culture of safety and advocacy: We will provide staff with essential training and support to foster an environment where patients are listened to and recognised as the best advocates for their own care, particularly in maternity hospitals.
Put in place Adult Safeguarding Policy: We will publish a national policy on adult safeguarding for the health and social care sector, strengthening existing protections.
Introduce hospital-based patient advocates: These advocates will assist parents caring for a child with a disability or a new diagnosis, helping them navigate the health service and providing information on accessing social protection income supports.
Implement recommendations from health-related claims reports: We will act on the findings of the Report of the Interdepartmental Working Group on the Rising Cost of Health-Related Claims, focusing on preventing adverse events, promoting research, and ensuring that patients are informed and supported when such events occur. This will include the establishment of a dedicated Court list with judges with specialist knowledge of medical negligence litigation, to ensure the earlier hearing of medical negligence cases.

These initiatives will enhance patient safety, improve the quality of care, and ensure that patients receive the support they need throughout their healthcare journey.

Men’s Health

Fine Gael is committed to advancing men’s health in tandem with the investment and progress seen in women’s healthcare. We will:

Publish a Men’s Health Action Plan: This plan will promote awareness, encourage early detection and treatment of diseases, and support boys and men in leading healthier and happier lifestyles. Additionally, we will fund research into the gender life expectancy gap and implement strategies to close this gap.

These initiatives aim to improve health outcomes for men, ensuring they receive the support and resources necessary for a better quality of life.

Protecting Older People

Fine Gael will continue to advocate for the needs of older people, we will appoint a standalone minister of state, to ensure this remain the case. Recognising the desire of families to have choices and feel supported when considering care options for their relatives. Taking account of the work of the Commission on Care, and the ESRI on projecting future demand and delivery, we will publish, resource, and implement a National Action Plan that will:

Ensure long-term care is timely, comprehensive, and affordable: We will guarantee that individuals with long-term care needs have access to a decent standard of living.
Increase availability of care services: We will examine and enhance the mix of professional care options, including homecare, community-based care, independent living options and residential care ranging from family-owned and operated care homes to public and private care homes .
Enhance access to digital healthcare: We will promote digital health solutions to avoid unnecessary hospital stays.
Increase support for carers: We will provide training, establish clearer pathways to services, improve access to respite care, and fully fund the Carer’s Guarantee.

Many of these actions align with the European Care Strategy, and we will seek EU funding to enhance our long-term care options. Additionally, we are committed to:

Funding meals on wheels services: We share the National Meals on Wheels Network’s belief in a community where no one faces food insecurity, especially our senior citizens, people with disabilities, and others in need. To support this ambition, we will continue to increase funding to the Network and develop a plan to enable supported providers in every town in the country and investment in key equipment such as ovens and delivery vans.
Maintaining the Fair Deal Scheme waiting list: We will keep the waiting list for the Fair Deal Scheme at four weeks.
Providing additional home support hours: We will deliver more home support hours each year, and increase the number of hours for individuals with dementia.
Introducing a statutory homecare scheme: We will ensure that every individual has the right to homecare, regardless of their location.
Fully staff the Enhanced Community Care Programme: We will ensure this programme meets the healthcare needs of older people in the community.
Maintain and expand day centres: We will enhance our network of day centres to provide essential support.
Publish and implement the Commission on Care for Older People report: We will act on the findings of this commission, which examines health and social care services for older individuals, while developing the National Action Plan.

These initiatives aim to improve the quality of life for older people in Ireland, providing them with the care and support they deserve.

Palliative Care

Fine Gael is dedicated to enhancing palliative care services to provide the best support for patients, families, and carers.

We will

Support our hospice network: We will continue to bolster our hospice network and implement the new National Adult Palliative Care Policy to improve services and supports.
Increase accessibility of palliative care services: We will ensure that palliative care services are accessible, making sure that everyone can receive the care they need.
Secure funding for LauraLynn: We will maintain a sustainable level of funding for LauraLynn, the National Children’s Hospice, to support its vital services.
Develop a national palliative care policy for children: We will create a new national policy to address the specific needs of children with life-limiting conditions, ensuring they receive appropriate care and support.

These initiatives will enhance palliative care services in Ireland, ensuring that all individuals and families facing serious health challenges receive compassionate and comprehensive support.

Access to New Medicines and Treatments

Fine Gael is committed to increasing access to new medicines and treatments for all patients.

We will achieve this by:

Implementing the Mazars Review recommendations: We will ensure that the end-to-end approval process is effectively resourced to support the HSE drug reimbursement process, enabling patients to access cost-effective drugs and treatments regardless of their means or health insurance status.
Exploring early reimbursement options: We will investigate new methods for earlier reimbursement of certain treatments, including early access schemes for rare diseases, similar to practices in other countries.
Promoting generic and biosimilar medicines: We will encourage the use of generic and biosimilar medicines to improve access and reduce costs for patients.
Increasing resources for clinical trials: We will enhance access to and resources for clinical trials, facilitating participation and innovation in treatment options.
Ensuring coordinated European collaboration: We will work towards a more coordinated approach at the European level, akin to the Benelux agreement, to leverage benefits similar to those achieved during the COVID-19 vaccination programme.

These initiatives will enhance the availability of new medicines and treatments, ensuring that all patients in Ireland receive the best possible care and support.

Clinical Trials

Fine Gael is committed to maximising our potential in clinical trials to enhance research and improve patient care.

We will achieve this by:

Providing protected time for clinicians and research staff: We will explore ways to allocate dedicated time for clinicians, researchers, and support staff to focus on clinical trial activities.
Investing in clinical trials research and infrastructure: We will commit to regular investment in the necessary research and infrastructure to support the growth of clinical trials.

These initiatives will strengthen Ireland’s capacity for clinical trials, facilitating innovative research and improving health outcomes for patients.

Disability

Fine Gael is committed to publishing a new National Disability Strategy that adopts a whole-of-government approach and advances the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Our accession to the Optional Protocol will also mean that people with a disability will have their rights more stringently upheld. This strategy will ensure that issues are not addressed in isolation and that actions reflect the experiences and ambitions of individuals with disabilities.

The Action Plan for Disability Services 2024-2026, informed by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, focuses on developing supports and services that are built around the person, giving people the choice and control over the way they live their lives. It was developed through consultation and the participation of people with disabilities, their friends, family and carers. We will ensure its implementation and its renewal when the time comes.

Increases in funding for disability services will:

Recruit more therapists: We will increase the number of Dietitians, Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Psychologists, Social Workers, and Speech & Language Therapists to enhance support for individuals with disabilities.
Ensure proper workforce planning: We will focus on identifying solutions and actions to create both immediate and long-term workforce supply in our disability services.
Provide new residential placements: We will create additional residential places for both adults and children to meet the growing demand for services.
Expand day service places: We will increase the availability of day service places for school leavers and those graduating from Rehabilitative Training.
Enhance respite services: We will increase respite services, including the introduction of alternative respite options to better support families.
Increase personal assistant hours: Increase the number of new personal assistant hours and disability home support hours each year, alongside increasing intensive support packages.
Implement the Autism Innovation Strategy: We will put this strategy on a statutory footing to ensure dedicated resources and support for individuals with autism.
Promote Local Support: Promote the establishment of support groups in cities, towns, and villages for people with disabilities, including those with Autism and their families.
Autism-One-Stop-Shops: Ensure these vital supports in every CHO to provide information and direct support.
Prioritise the European Disability Card: We will focus on delivering this card to ensure the rights of individuals with disabilities are recognised and upheld throughout Europe.
Disabled Drivers Scheme: Examine the criteria for the Primary Medical Certificate, as well as the introduction of a grant scheme for necessary vehicle adaptations.
Support the Decision Support Service: We will support the Decision Support Service and full implementation of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015.
Simplify Power of Attorney Applications: We will work with the Law Society of Ireland to create a solicitor’s portal simplifying enduring Power of Attorney applications.
Implement Congregated Settings Strategy: We will drive implementation of the Time to Move on from Congregated Settings Strategy.
Implement Ombudsman ‘Wasted Lives Report: We will continue to support people to move out of nursing homes, through the ongoing implementation of the recommendations in the Ombudsman’s ‘Wasted Lives’ report.

These initiatives will strengthen the support system for individuals with disabilities, promoting their rights and improving their quality of life across Ireland.

Mental Health

We will prioritise the enactment of the Mental Health Bill 2004, which is essential for modernising our mental health services and empowering individuals to take an active role in their care and treatment.

As demand for community based mental health services increases, we will undertake an urgent review to ensure adequate staffing levels, setter and supported transition from youth to adult services and better integration with our health service.

Progressive increases in funding for mental health services will ensure that we:

Recruit mental health care professionals: We will continue to hire mental health professionals, particularly in community Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), and expand psychology assistant posts enhancing the capacity of primary care psychology services
Fully implement ‘Sharing the Vision’: This national mental health policy will enhance access and integration of services, including digital support, psychosocial therapies, and improved primary care mental health services.
Provide targeted care programmes: We will develop early intervention programmes for conditions such as psychosis, eating disorders, ADHD, and dual diagnoses.
Create a central referral mechanism: This will simplify referrals to community paediatric services, including CAMHS, ensuring that no child is placed on the wrong waiting list.
Expand eating disorder teams: We will continue to grow and support teams focused on treating eating disorders.
Increase Autism supports: Examine and implement targeted supports for children with autism experiencing mental health challenges.
Support voluntary and community providers: We will strengthen the contributions of vital voluntary and community organisations working in mental health.
Develop a successor to Connecting for Life: We will create a new national strategy to reduce suicide rates and enhance our suicide bereavement support services, ensuring individuals feel properly supported.
Recruit Suicide Crisis Assessment Nurses: Continue to expand this support in our communities.
Maximise telehealth and virtual health technologies: We will leverage telehealth, particularly for young people, to improve access to mental health services.
Develop a Youth Mental Health app: We will create an app to support the mental health needs of young people.
Ensure a dedicated national lead for mental health: We will appoint a national lead to oversee mental health initiatives and ensure effective implementation of strategies.
Expand mental health service capacity: Following on from the development of the National Forensic Mental Health Service, we will develop and implement a ten-year mental health refurbishment and investment infrastructure plan.

These initiatives will strengthen mental health services in Ireland, improve access to care, and enhance the overall well-being of individuals and families.

Drugs

Fine Gael will continue to implement, with An Garda Siochana, a Health-led approach for people in possession of drugs for personal use. We will ensure individuals are diverted to health services.

In addition, we will:

Increase funding for addiction services: We will expand drug services in the community, develop new services for young people facing drug dependency and mental health issues, and provide ongoing support for individuals in recovery.
Launch a major awareness campaign: We will initiate the largest campaign to raise awareness about the significant challenges that illicit drugs pose to our society.
Strengthen community responses: We will enhance funding for local drug and alcohol taskforces to improve their effectiveness in addressing substance use issues.
Consider mobile medically supervised injecting facilities: We will explore the establishment of mobile facilities in areas of need, building on the ongoing work at Merchant’s Quay.
Enhance preparedness for drug overdoses: We will increase the availability of naloxone, train individuals on its use, and equip Gardaí with naloxone to carry on the beat.
Evaluate the national drugs strategy: We will assess the outcomes of the national drugs strategy,
Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery 2017-2025, and publish a successor strategy to guide future efforts.
Re-establish the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Drugs Use: We will finish the work of examining the recommendations of the Citizens’ Assembly on Drug Use and ensure delivery of a final report, the findings and recommendations of which will be fully considered.
Increase funding for harm reduction measures: We will provide additional funding for measures to reduce drug related harm and deaths, including initiatives to provide a rapid response to the threat of synthetic drugs.
Increase funding to addiction services: We will expand drug and alcohol services in the community, develop and expand new services for young people with drug and alcohol dependency and mental health issues, and provide ongoing and increased support for people in recovery.

These initiatives aim to address the challenges of drug use in Ireland, enhance support for those affected, and promote a healthier, safer society for all.

Cross-Border Healthcare

Fine Gael is committed to enhancing healthcare collaboration across the island of Ireland.

We will:

Promote greater cross-border cooperation: We will explore and foster collaboration with Northern Ireland on healthcare, research, training, and education to achieve improved health outcomes for everyone on the island.

These efforts aim to strengthen health services and create a more integrated approach to healthcare across borders, benefiting all communities.

Voluntary Organisations

Fine Gael acknowledges the vital role that voluntary organisations play in delivering health and social care services.

We will:

Engage with the voluntary sector through the Dialogue Forum: We will continue to work constructively with voluntary organisations to ensure effective collaboration and communication.
Enhance funding for essential services: Aim to achieve pay parity for staff in Section 39 organisations with the public sector.

These initiatives aim to strengthen the capacity and sustainability of voluntary organisations, ensuring they can continue to provide critical support and care to communities across Ireland.

Building a Stronger Child Health Workforce

Fine Gael is committed to making it easier for children with additional needs to access essential services by strengthening the child health workforce.

Fine Gael will:

Boost Retention and Recruitment: Within 100 days undertake a consultation with all relevant representative bodies to identify practical recruitment and retention initiatives, including sign up and retention payments for staff in child and adolescent mental health and children’s disability services to address acute needs and positively impact children’s futures. All public sector wage measures will be taken with regard to the current public service wage agreement.
Double Therapy Programme Places: We’ll double college places in Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, and Speech and Language Therapy, and engage with third level institutions to make assessed placements in special education and disability courses a key component in therapy and teacher training.
Support Therapy Assistants: We’ll help therapy assistants qualify as therapists and encourage retired therapists to return, while increasing the number of Therapy Assistant positions through FETAC programmes to better support therapists.
Create New Clinical Support Apprenticeships: We’ll develop apprenticeship programmes to fill critical clinical support roles.
Access to Private Assessments: We will provide funding for private assessments of need for long waiting families and introduce a similar initiative to access therapies and mental health supports, while legislating for the National Treatment Purchase Fund to increase access in the longer term.
Expand Public Health Nursing: We will increase Public Health Nurse numbers through a sponsorship scheme for nurses training in public health.
Update the Disability Act: In collaboration with stakeholders and parents, we’ll review the 2005 Disability Act to improve service delivery, support the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and ensure we can deliver assessments of need in a timely way.

These actions will ensure that every child, regardless of their needs, can access the right care and support when they need it most.

Addressing the Cost of Disability

Fine Gael recognises that disabled people face significant additional costs in their daily lives. We are committed to improving supports for individuals with disabilities.

We will:

Introduce a permanent €500 Annual Cost of Disability Support Payment: We will introduce a permanent Cost of Disability Support Payment of €500 and progressively increase this payment in each budget, similar to the Carer’s Support Grant.
Reform the Disability Allowance Payment: We will reform the Disability Allowance Payment and remove anomalies in the current means test for the payment. We will increase the weekly payment by €12 each year bringing it up to at least €300 per week over the lifetime of the next Government.
Increase the monthly Domiciliary Care Allowance: We will enhance this allowance to better support families caring for individuals with disabilities.
Extend the Free Travel Pass: We will make the Free Travel Pass available to all children receiving Domiciliary Care Allowance.
Increase and review the Wage Subsidy Scheme rate: We will raise this rate to 70% of the minimum wage to support employment for individuals with disabilities. To facilitate employment opportunities for people with disabilities, we will review the minimum hours requirement, taking into account the lived experience of people with disabilities who may not be in a position to work a minimum of 15 hours per week.
Grow successful programmes: We will continue to expand programmes like WorkAbility, Employability, and the new Work and Access Programme.
Support disability awareness training: We will promote training initiatives to raise awareness and understanding of disabilities.
Raise Disability Allowance income disregards: We will ensure that more individuals qualify for support.
Increase the Disability Allowance Capital Disregard: We will adjust this disregard to improve financial security for individuals with disabilities.