Ireland has taken a significant step towards stronger public health preparedness with the launch of the Evidence Synthesis Hub for Health Security Ireland (ESHSI). The national initiative will help the Department of Health, the Health Service Executive (HSE) and wider Government make faster, better-informed decisions when emerging health threats arise.
Health Security Ireland gains new evidence hub
Chief Medical Officer Professor Mary Horgan officially launched the Hub on 25 September 2026. Its purpose is to bring together national and international expertise to produce timely, robust and policy-relevant assessments of scientific evidence.
The initiative is designed to support Ireland’s response to a wide range of risks, including infectious disease outbreaks, environmental hazards and other emerging threats to public health. It will also strengthen preparedness planning and long-term national resilience.
What the ESHSI will provide
- Rapid evidence reviews during health security events
- Horizon scanning to identify emerging risks
- Preparedness planning support
- Knowledge translation for policymakers and health services
- Independent, quality-assured synthesis of research findings
Professor Horgan said the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the importance of having reliable evidence available quickly. The new Hub is intended to improve Ireland’s ability to anticipate, prepare for and respond to future health challenges.
Independent research to support public health decisions
Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD welcomed the initiative, describing it as an important development in Ireland’s preparedness infrastructure. The Department of Health said that access to high-quality evidence will be vital when decisions must be made in rapidly changing circumstances.
Professor Declan Devane, Scientific Lead and Principal Investigator at ESHSI, explained that decision-makers need clear answers about what research shows, how certain the findings are and what remains unknown. Evidence synthesis involves locating relevant research, assessing its quality and presenting the findings in a way that can guide action.
The Hub will be funded by the Health Research Board on behalf of the Department of Health. Although the department will identify questions and commission work, it will not be able to alter the methods, findings or conclusions. This separation is intended to protect independence and public trust.
University of Galway to coordinate national network
Hosted by Evidence Synthesis Ireland at the University of Galway, the Hub will coordinate a network of specialist organisations, academic teams and public health experts. The network may include health economists, clinicians, ethicists, behavioural scientists, public and patient contributors and international partners.
Evidence Synthesis Ireland will provide methodological support and quality assurance, carry out selected reviews and connect the most appropriate expertise with each research question. The model is designed to make Ireland’s existing skills and institutions work more effectively together.
The Hub follows a recommendation from the Emerging Health Threats Function Expert Steering Group. Its report called for an evidence synthesis hub and a rapid activation mechanism capable of assessing and translating evidence during public health emergencies.
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What the launch means for Ireland
The ESHSI is expected to strengthen coordination between Government, health services, universities and research centres. By making evidence easier to assess and apply, it can support more consistent responses to complex and evolving health security risks.
Key takeaway: the Evidence Synthesis Hub for Health Security Ireland gives policymakers a dedicated national resource for turning global research into practical guidance. Its independent structure and expert network could become an important part of Ireland’s preparedness for future public health threats.
Article/Image Courtesy: gov.ie
