Ireland’s older people’s services are set for their largest-ever annual investment after the Department of Health announced more than €3.4 billion under Budget 2027. The package focuses on home support, residential care, dementia services and practical community supports designed to help older people live independently for longer.
Budget 2027 strengthens care closer to home
Minister of State for Older People Kieran O’Donnell announced the funding on 9 October 2026, highlighting the importance of community and residential care across Ireland. A central measure is an additional 1.8 million home-support hours, backed by €123 million in extra funding.
The national target will rise to 28.5 million hours in 2027. Home support helps older people remain in their own homes while also reducing pressure on families, carers and hospitals. Delivery will involve the Health Service Executive (HSE) and local care providers.
Fair Deal scheme receives additional funding
The Fair Deal nursing home support scheme will receive a further €97 million. The funding is intended to address inflationary and statutory cost pressures in the nursing home sector while supporting an additional 500 people. The Government also plans continued investment in Community Nursing Units and new residential care beds.
New community supports for older people
Budget 2027 includes several targeted measures for locally delivered services:
- Meals on Wheels: €2 million in additional funding, bringing total 2027 support to €10.25 million.
- Community Supports Grant Scheme: A new €2 million fund for community and voluntary organisations.
- Care and Repair: €627,500 to support five new Age Action Ireland locations.
- Healthy Age Friendly Homes: €635,000 for five additional programme coordinators.
- Dementia services: €1.4 million for expanded day care, home-based dementia care, activity clubs and five additional advisers.
- Family carers: €610,000 for Family Carers Ireland, including respite supports.
These measures complement wider public services overseen through gov.ie and the Department of Health, with community organisations playing a key role in ageing in place.
Read more
For more reporting on Ireland government announcements and public services, visit Daily Digest. Explore Irish health policy and national news at Media Digest.
Dementia care and hospital transition funding
The Government also plans to expand Memory Assessment and Support Services and progress Ireland’s participation in the Genetic Frontotemporal Dementia Initiative. A National Specialist Dementia and Memory Centre is being advanced to support complex and genetic dementias, research, clinical trials and innovation.
At least 24% of new home-support hours in 2027 will be allocated to people with dementia. A further €28.3 million will support transitional care and complex transitional care, helping older people move from hospital into appropriate ongoing care. Additional funding will support day services, adult safeguarding and the Nursing Home Linkage Project.
Explore more
Read Irish lifestyle and ageing-related features on Luxe Digest, including practical perspectives on independent living and community life.
What Budget 2027 means for older people
The measures announced cover the full continuum of care: support at home, community-based services, family-carer assistance, dementia provision and nursing home care. Their practical impact will depend on implementation by the HSE, service providers and community organisations nationwide.
Key takeaway: Budget 2027 places ageing in place at the centre of Ireland’s older people’s policy, combining record funding with expanded home support and stronger local services.
Article/Image Courtesy: gov.ie
