Joe Neville
Ceist:417. Deputy Joe Neville asked the Minister for Health the cost of the eHealth record project to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52699/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 2 October 2025
Ceisteanna (417)
Freagraí scríofa
The preliminary business case for a national electronic health record programme represents a very significant investment by the state and as such, is currently subject to the Infrastructure Guidelines (IG) established to assess proposals of this scale. The business case is well advanced and in accordance with IG has been subjected to the external assurance process where it was deemed compliant. It is now being considered by the Major Projects Advisory Group who will shortly complete their report for DPER and help inform Government on how best to proceed.
On the basis that the national electronic health record (EHR), as a distinct and standalone programme, is subject to further approvals – and to ensure tangible progress in the meantime, the HSE has progressed the following tactical EHR projects, that have all been funded through investment by Government in digital health systems:
• St James Hospital, Dublin.
• Largest Maternity Hospitals (70% of births).
• National Rehabilitation & National Forensics Hospitals.
• Community Connect (Discovery Phase).
• New National Children's Hospital – EPIC (live 2026).
In additional, the following private healthcare providers have implemented electronic health records, albeit not funded directly by Government:
• Private Hospitals (HIMSS Level 6).
• GP Practices (2 vendors, 4 products, 98% coverage).
• Community Pharmacy (4 vendors, 98% coverage).
Investment by Government in digital health has increased significantly over the past 7 years, recognising the need to invest in digitisation as a key enabler for reform of the health service, as prescribed under Sláintecare. This has led to an increased allocation for ICT capital in the health sector from €60 million in 2018 to €190 million in 2025. Further investment will be required to implement a national EHR, deployed and owned on a regional basis (aligned with the new health regions) as prescribed under ‘Digital for Care’ and aligned with the Programme for Government.
In summary, while a specific total cost for the digitalisation of patient records to date is not isolated within the broader digital health funding, the increased allocations for ICT capital and revenue since 2018 reflect the ongoing expenditure and government commitment to this critical initiative. The Department of Health, together with the HSE, continues to prioritise funding and resource planning to ensure the successful rollout of digital patient records through a phased, three step approach enhancing the HSE Health App (Release 3 now live), delivering the National Shared Care Record (pilot in Waterford by year end), and then rolling out the Enterprise Level EHR region by region—so that integration is proven, benefits arrive early, and technical risk is reduced.