Ireland’s rapidly ageing population is expected to place increasing pressure on healthcare services in the years ahead, according to new research launched at ‘Well into the Future: Preparing Ireland’s Healthcare System for an Ageing Population’, a symposium moderated by broadcaster Pat Kenny, which brought together policymakers, healthcare professionals, patient advocates and older people’s organisations.
The symposium sought to explore what needs to be done to prepare Ireland’s health system for a rapidly ageing population. Discussions examined the importance of prevention, healthcare workforce planning, sustainability, and supporting older adults to remain healthy, active and independent for longer.
AGEING POPULATION
The new report by Forvis Mazars, and commissioned by Pfizer Healthcare Ireland, examines how respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) could increase demand on Ireland’s health services as the population ages, based on three potential scenarios related to population ageing and reporting of cases.
The report projects that RSV-related hospitalisations among adults aged 65 years and older could increase significantly over the coming years as the number of older adults in Ireland continues to grow.
RSV is a common seasonal respiratory virus that typically causes mild, cold-like symptoms. However, it can result in serious illness among older adults and can exacerbate underlying conditions including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma and congestive heart failure. Accurately diagnosing RSV among older adults can also be challenging, meaning the burden of the virus may be underestimated.
The research finds that RSV is already having a significant impact in Ireland. Between 2022 and 2025, there were more than 3,000 RSV-related hospitalisations and 159 deaths reported among adults aged 65 and over. In 2025 alone, 740 hospitalisations, 13 ICU admissions and 46 deaths were reported in this age group. Older adults are at a higher risk of complications from RSV and in 2025 more than half of the hospitalisations involved adults aged 80 and over.
Ireland’s population is ageing, with the number of people aged 65 and over projected to grow by around 3% annually over the next five years, while the number of people aged 80 and over is projected to increase by approximately 5% each year. Adults aged 80 and over already account for more than half of RSV-related hospitalisations among older adults, and this growing demographic is expected to drive further increases in RSV-related healthcare demand.
HOSPITAL CAPACITY
The impact on hospital capacity is expected to grow even more quickly than the number of admissions and the impact of RSV expected to be felt most during the winter months, when hospitals are already under pressure from other seasonal illnesses.9 The research found that almost two-thirds of all RSV-related bed demand is likely to occur within a 10-week period each winter, placing additional strain on hospital capacity at its busiest time of year.
The research also highlights the financial implications associated with RSV. Under the central scenario, RSV-related health system impacts, which include GP visits, ED visits, hospitalisations and ICU visits are projected to total €133 million between 2026 and 2031. Hospitalisations account for the largest share of the costs at €115.1m, with a further €2.7m being spent on those patients who are expected to require ICU care.
The report concludes that RSV is likely to become an increasingly important contributor to hospital demand and winter capacity pressures in Ireland. While the modelling is subject to uncertainty, its findings indicate that the future burden will be characterised not only by increasing hospitalisations, but also by growing demand for acute hospital capacity, with the greatest impact concentrated among adults aged 80 and over.
