UNSIGNED PREVIEW — not a promoted public release.
Actor: Irish Government
insufficient_evidenceTopic: health
Evidence: 10 events
Sources: 10
This promise by Irish Government has INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE for a rating. Only 10 evidence events were found. More research is needed before a reliable assessment can be made.
This promise is rated as VAGUE (vagueness score: 65/100). It uses broad language like "Review the drugs reimbursement process and investigate early access schemes for " without specific metrics or deadlines. Vague promises are harder to track because success criteria are unclear. Look for concrete numbers, dates, and measurable outcomes to judge delivery.
Issue category: healthcare
Budget 2025 increased the Warmer Homes Scheme allocation to €240 million, supplemented by ERDF funding, providing free fully-funded energy upgrades for low-income households at risk of energy poverty. The allocation represents a 10-fold increase on 2020 expenditure.
Since 1 January 2025, the Warmer Homes Scheme no longer funds fossil fuel boilers — only renewable heating systems qualify, marking a policy shift in the scheme's implementation.
UCAN Ireland and other groups are calling for implementation of an Early Access Scheme to ensure access to critical medicines while reimbursement decisions are pending.
Lavelle Partners analysis confirms Ireland's 2025 Programme for Government includes a commitment to a dedicated medical negligence court — a specialised court that would streamline the legal process for medical negligence claims.
Two new practice directions issued on 8 April 2025 governing clinical negligence cases, described as significant reforms to end 'trial by ambush'.
Micheál Martin's official gov.ie press release states: 'Our Programme for Government sets out an ambitious agenda for continuing to build our shared island, backed by a further €1 billion investment.'
The 2023 Mazars review of the drug reimbursement process continues to be referenced in Oireachtas debates in May 2025; it found the process was operating as intended. Advocacy groups are pushing for an Early Access Scheme.
The average waiting time under the Warmer Homes Scheme from application to completion of upgrade works in 2025 was 21 months, indicating significant demand exceeding processing capacity.
2025 was the highest year on record for the Warmer Homes Scheme, with over 8,000 homes at risk of fuel poverty receiving a free energy upgrade, lowering their energy bills and improving health outcomes. Total SEAI investment in 2025 was a record €645 million across all grant programmes.
Review the drugs reimbursement process and investigate early access schemes for rare diseases
Families of patients with rare diseases are pleading for access to life-changing therapies, with the State projected to spend €4 billion on pharmaceuticals in 2026 but less than 1% going to rare disease drugs. Deputies warn the drug reimbursement system is 'fundamentally broken'.