Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 January 2026
1017. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the status of the Strategic Review of the Eligibility Framework which was due to be completed in 2025 (details supplied); the expected timeline for completion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4260/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraExpanding Primary Care is at the heart of the Sláintecare vision. Notwithstanding the substantial progress made towards ‘Universal Health Coverage’ (UHC), the eligibility framework has not been subject to a holistic review since the publication of the Sláintecare report in 2017.
The Department recognises that, to achieve the goal of universal healthcare in line with the commitments made in Sláintecare, we must first review existing eligibility arrangements and see how they align with current population needs identifying gaps in the eligibility framework.
It is in this context that the Department has commenced a long-term strategic review of the eligibility framework, Phase 1 of which, includes a review of the existing eligibility arrangements for health services to see how they align with current population needs. This phase of the Strategic review is near completion.
The outputs of this review work will feed into the Phase 2 of the broader multi-annual strategic review programme. This phase is extensive in scope and incorporates many other strands, including but not limited to; an international benchmarking exercise, extensive stakeholder engagement and public consultation, and a comprehensive analysis of available evidence of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) best practice.
Each of these work streams will contribute to the development of evidence-based policy options for a future eligibility framework to support a progressive move towards universal health coverage in Ireland.
