by HRHQ Editorial Team
Ireland will require thousands of additional healthcare workers by 2040, according to new research from the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI). The report projects substantial increases in Health Service Executive (HSE) primary and community care workforce needs, driven largely by population growth and rapid ageing.
The study, funded by the HSE, modelled several scenarios reflecting different demographic and workforce‑mix assumptions. It examined seven key community‑based professions: audiology, dietetics, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, podiatry, speech and language therapy, and public health and community nursing. In 2022, these services were delivered by approximately 5,650 whole‑time equivalent (WTE) staff.
Across all scenarios, workforce requirements rise sharply by 2040. The most significant increases are expected in services that predominantly support older people living in the community. Public health and community nursing show the largest projected growth, with the ESRI estimating that up to 2,231 additional nurses will be required—an average annual increase of 3%.
Audiologists, occupational therapists and podiatrists also face steep demand growth due to Ireland’s ageing population. Meanwhile, dietitians, physiotherapists and speech and language therapists are projected to require average annual workforce increases of between 1% and 2.1%.
Regionally, the greatest pressures are expected in the east of the country, where population expansion is most concentrated.
The findings highlight the scale of long‑term workforce planning required to ensure Ireland can meet future healthcare needs, particularly in community‑based and preventative services that support an ageing population.
