Government must prioritise patients and frontline workers in Budget 2027 – Sherlock
Government must prioritise patients and frontline workers in Budget 2027 – Sherlock - The Labour Party
- €152m for 2,000 additional nurses and midwives in 2027.
- €25m to extend free GP care to children aged 8 to 12.
- €100m for a national locum service to reduce reliance on agency staffing.
Labour health spokesperson Marie Sherlock TD has today called on Government to cut healthcare costs for families, fund the staff, beds and community services needed to tackle overcrowding, and engage seriously with unions to resolve the public sector pay dispute. Following the publication of Labour’s Alternative Budget 2027, Deputy Sherlock said the Government must address the pressures facing patients and frontline workers, with work-to-rule action already under way and further strikes looming.
Deputy Sherlock said:
“Patients face long waits for care while health service staff work under enormous pressure. Government has run out of ideas. Poor budgeting and gaps in community care leave hospitals struggling and families paying more than they can afford.
“With public sector workers already taking industrial action and strikes looming, Government cannot keep dragging its feet on pay. The staff keeping our health service running are also struggling with rising living costs. Ministers must engage meaningfully with unions and put forward a credible pay offer. Praising frontline workers while failing to address their concerns will not recruit a nurse, retain a midwife or open a hospital bed.
“Labour would invest €152m in 2,000 additional nurses and midwives next year. We would establish a €100m national locum service to reduce expensive agency spending and offer staff secure employment with flexible working arrangements. Public money must deliver care, and new facilities need staff to open their doors.
“More hospital beds must be matched by investment in home care and community services. People who are ready to leave hospital should not be left waiting for support at home. Those delays deny patients care in the right setting and leave beds unavailable for others who urgently need them.
“No parent should have to worry about money when their child is sick. Labour would invest €25m to extend free GP care to children aged 8 to 12. We would allocate €19m to reduce the Drug Payment Scheme threshold from €80 to €70 a month and €36m to cut prescription charges to 50 cent per item, capped at €5 a month.
“Government must stop asking patients and staff to absorb the consequences of its failures. Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael must deliver a credible pay offer, fund more frontline staff and beds, and provide the home care that helps people leave hospital safely. This Budget must make healthcare more affordable and give staff the resources to deliver it.”