Sláintecare must not be neglected in the revised National Development Plan (NDP), according to Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice.
Deputy Rice, who is the party’s health spokesperson, said:
“Sláintecare cannot be allowed to become a sacrificial lamb in the revised NDP, due to be published next week.
“While there should absolutely be a clear focus on addressing severe deficiencies in housing, energy, water and transport, as the government has indicated, the need to fund capital health projects cannot be sidelined.
“There are growing concerns that this government, in particular the Minister for Public Expenditure, is not fully committed to funding Sláintecare. That is why I have written to Minister Chambers outlining the importance of key Sláintecare projects and urging him to provide the requisite capital funding in the revised NDP.
“Unless the government frontloads funding for these projects, the vision for a fully functioning universal healthcare system will never be realised.
“If this government is truly committed to putting patients first and ending the dysfunction in our health system, then sufficient capital funding must be provided in the revised NDP for key Sláintecare reforms, such as eHealth and the delivery of elective hospitals in Cork, Galway and Dublin.
“These projects require ringfenced budgets, and clear timelines for delivery, in the NDP.
“All too often, Sláintecare is seen as a convenient brand, something that is only referenced by the government when it suits them.
“But positive words alone will not transform our health service. There must be an acceptance that reform costs money, and that investment will pay dividends later.
“This government, and the Minister for Health, cannot allow the Department of Public Expenditure to get in the way of implementing Sláintecare in full.
“The revised NDP is an opportunity for the government to reaffirm their commitment to Sláintecare and put some much-needed momentum behind reform.
“We cannot allow the plan to be watered down or delayed any further. We are already way behind the 10-year roadmap set out in the original Sláintecare plan.
“The Department of Public Expenditure also has a great deal to answer for when it comes to the delay in digitising our health service. This shortsightedness on the part of the department, and the line ministers, cannot be allowed to prevail any longer.”
July 18, 2025