Ireland Needs Thousands More Healthcare Workers by 2040, ESRI Report Finds

Ireland will require thousands of additional healthcare workers by 2040, according to new research from the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI). The report, funded by the Health Service Executive (HSE), projects significant increases in primary and community care workforce requirements nationally and regionally.

The 2022 workforce of approximately 5,650 whole-time equivalent (WTE) staff in services like audiology, dietetics, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, podiatry, speech and language therapy, and public health and community nursing is projected to grow substantially. This is driven by demographic change, particularly population ageing.

Up to 2,231 additional public health and community nurses are projected by 2040, representing 3% average annual growth. The largest increases are expected in services for older people, including audiologists, occupational therapists, podiatrists, and public health and community nurses. Other professions like dietitians, physiotherapists, and speech and language therapists will see 1% to 2.1% average annual growth. Most significant increases are projected in eastern regions.

Dr. Aoife Brick of the ESRI stated that substantial expansion of the HSE Primary and Community Care workforce is needed across all regions and staff categories. HSE Chief People Officer Anne Marie Hoey noted the report supports planning with funders and stakeholders, while Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill welcomed the findings, emphasizing their role in Sláintecare's efforts to build a sustainable health service.