Ireland Launches First National AI Strategy for Health and Social Care

Ireland has taken a significant step in modernising its health service, with the Minister for Health today publishing AI for Care, the country's first dedicated national strategy for the safe and responsible use of artificial intelligence across health and social care.

The strategy was launched this morning by Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD at Mater Misericordiae University Hospital in Dublin, fulfilling a commitment in the Programme for Government to use AI to modernise healthcare and improve patient experience.

AI for Care sets out how artificial intelligence will be applied across four key areas: clinical care, operations, research and innovation, and public health.

Among the practical benefits outlined, patients and clinicians can expect faster diagnosis through AI-assisted reading of X-rays, CT scans and MRIs, with earlier detection of strokes, cancers and fractures. AI scribe tools are expected to cut documentation time for clinicians by up to 40%, freeing up more time for patient care.

The strategy also promises better patient flow through AI-supported discharge planning, improved forecasting to reduce waste, and more consistent care delivery nationwide through better use of data and evidence.

Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD said:

"AI for Care marks an important step toward creating a safer, smarter, and more sustainable healthcare service. It provides a clear and practical roadmap for adopting AI in ways that are safe, transparent, truly enhance patient care, and support clinicians. The strategy focuses on using technology to strengthen, rather than replace the vital human relationships at the core of healthcare."

She added:

"AI offers us a rare opportunity to reshape how care is delivered, making it more timely, more personalised and more equitable. With AI for Care, Ireland is taking a responsible, ambitious, people-centred approach to this future."

During the launch, the Minister stressed that all AI technologies are intended to support, not replace, clinical judgement. Robust safeguards will be in place, including mandatory human oversight, compliance with the EU AI Act, and forthcoming national guidance from the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA).

Damien McCallion, HSE Chief Technology and Transformation Officer, said:

"AI is already changing how people learn, work and live, and is integral in our transformation journey to reshape Ireland's health and social care services. We are facing ever increasing demands for healthcare as our population continues to grow, our use of AI will be pivotal in fostering further innovation and addressing the challenges facing the system."

He described the strategy as "a living strategy that will evolve over time and is shaped by the needs of patients, healthcare providers, the public and other key stakeholders," setting out the vision for AI across Ireland's health services over the next five years.

Richard Greene, HSE Chief Clinical Information Officer, said:

"Across any AI effort, we will ensure we remain fully person-centric and transparent and trustworthy. We will ensure a human approach is taken to use AI to further enable, not replace, healthcare professionals in their work, and that we lean on lived experience to guide continuous learning."

The strategy sits within the Government's wider Digital for Care agenda and complements Ireland's National Digital and AI Strategy. It also supports the Sláintecare vision for integrated, person-centred care.

It builds on major digital investments already under way, including the HSE Health App, the National Shared Care Record, and the National Electronic Health Record (EHR), which has recently been approved by Government and is now moving through procurement, with vendors shortlisted in Q1 2026.

The HSE is expected to publish an AI Implementation Framework in the coming months to ensure consistent rollout of AI across all Health Regions.