€11 Million Boost to Strengthen Drugs and Inclusion Health Services in Irish Hospitals
Budget 2026 delivers expanded overdose monitoring, dual-diagnosis supports, and inclusion health services across all six HSE regions.
Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy Jennifer Murnane O’Connor TD has announced an additional €11 million in recurring funding for drugs and inclusion health services as part of Budget 2026.
The allocation includes €4 million for new service enhancement measures aimed at addressing regional disparities in the availability of drug and inclusion health services, with a strong focus on disadvantaged and rural areas. The funding will also enhance prevention and early-intervention measures to improve child health and wellbeing across Ireland.
Key priorities and outcomes include:
Enhanced capacity in drug services for under-served populations, including residential treatment and early intervention programmes for young people.
A strategic workforce development plan for staff working in drug services across all six HSE health regions.
Expansion of health services for people who are homeless, including national in-reach care and case management for those in emergency accommodation, as well as tailored interventions for women at risk of homelessness.
Broader access to Buprenorphine, enabling treatment for an additional 200 people living with opioid dependence.
Expansion of the Brighter Beginnings programme for Traveller child health to two additional health regions.
Provision of additional health supports for refugees and migrants, particularly those with psychological vulnerabilities and families in emergency accommodation.
A further €100,000 has been allocated to support the development of a hospital-based monitoring system for drug overdose. This will enable the HSE to identify non-fatal and fatal overdoses more quickly and issue risk communications and emergency response plans as needed.
The funding will also strengthen support for participants in the Dublin Drug Treatment Court, providing tailored interventions to improve engagement and outcomes for those with complex health and social needs.
In addition, €2 million has been secured under the Dormant Accounts Fund for 2026 and 2027 to support two projects — the provision of healthcare services for the Roma population, and the establishment of a multidisciplinary health team for primary school children in Ballymun.
Announcing the measures, Minister Murnane O’Connor said:
“The additional funding I have secured for 2026 will address disparities in the availability of and access to drugs and inclusion health services across the six HSE health regions.
These new measures will drive health equity for groups at risk of poverty and social exclusion and enhance the health and wellbeing of all people living in Ireland.
We are paving the way for the implementation of our new National Drugs Strategy, expanding capacity in services all across the country and rolling out successful pilot initiatives to new areas.
I want to acknowledge the vital role played by the staff who deliver inclusion health services and provide essential support to people enduring challenging vulnerabilities. It is fitting that we recognise their contribution and ensure they have the resources, training, and support required to continue delivering this service into the future.”
The Minister also highlighted the complementary measures introduced by Minister for Mental Health Mary Butler TD, including the expansion of dual-diagnosis services and new suicide reduction initiatives for the Traveller community.
Full details of the new measures and associated staff allocations will be outlined in the HSE National Service Plan 2026.