Budget 2025 will include a €6.9 billion spending package. Of this, €5.1 billion is allocated to maintaining existing service levels in 2025, with decisions already made regarding public pay and the funding of the National Development Plan.


This leaves €1.8 billion available for new spending measures. Minister Paschal Donohoe emphasized that the growing population is the “major pressure” on finalizing the budget.

When asked about pressure points across departments for the next Budget, Mr. Donohoe explained, “Our population continues to grow, which is a very positive and important development, but it also means that the cost of maintaining the same quality of public services increases each year.


“The clearest example of this is in our health services. While outcomes are improving for many, and need to improve for more, we are seeing unprecedented numbers of people in our emergency departments and major hospitals.”


Speaking to reporters in Dublin on Thursday, he added, “This demographic change, which we anticipated in the medium term, is now happening and has significant consequences for our budgets and the funds available for new initiatives”.