This Statement of Strategy sets out the direction for the Department of Health’s work between 2025 and 2028. Five strategic priorities have been identified to steer our work and enable us to achieve our goals. These priorities were chosen in response to the health, wellbeing, and social care needs of the people of Ireland, and in the context of significant national and international change, demands and demographics. The document reflects our vision of a healthier Ireland, with improved health and wellbeing for all, and with the right care delivered in the right place at the right time. Input was sought and received from agencies under our aegis and from other government Departments, in addition to internal consultation across our own Department.

This Statement of Strategy will guide the work of the department via five overarching priorities:

• Promote and protect public health
• Bring care closer to home
• Make access to healthcare fairer and faster
• Strengthen governance and partnerships
• Evolve to meet future challenges and opportunities

Actions and outcomes include:

P.10 Ban the sale of tobacco products to people under the age of 21 and introduce wide-ranging restrictions on vaping, including packaging, flavours, point of sale advertising and a ban on disposable vapes.

P.10 Tackle harmful alcohol consumption through effective regulations.

P. 11 Implement a new national drugs strategy that reduces the harms associated with drug use and diverts those found in possession of drugs for personal use to health services.

P.11 Promote measures that improve life expectancy for Travellers, people who are homeless and high-risk drug users.

P. 15 Enhance access and delivery of treatment services that respond to changing patterns of problem drug and alcohol use across the HSE health regions.