Healthcare
Healthcare Occupations
Employment has grown annually since 2020, with an additional 38,000 persons employed over the five-year period examined. Almost four-fifths of those employed were women, and the share aged 55 years or over was below the national average. Employment permits continued to be a key source of skills for these roles, with healthcare occupations accounting for 22% of all new employment permits issued in 2024.
The demand for healthcare staff is expected to increase in the coming years, driven by a number of factors, including an ageing population, the implementation of the Sláintecare Action Plan, and the Education Therapy Service (part of the Education Plan 2025). The number of health and welfare related awards from the education/training system has been rising in recent years, and further increases are planned, which should go some way towards alleviating growing demand for these roles. Evidence of skills shortages for some healthcare occupations (e.g. therapists) is inconclusive due to small employment levels
Shortages
· Medical practitioners
· Nurses