Ireland launches 'AI for Care' - the first national strategy for AI in health and social care
Ireland has set a clear direction for AI in healthcare with the launch of 'AI for Care' at Dublin's Mater Hospital. The strategy targets faster diagnosis, smoother patient flow, and up to a 40% cut in clinical paperwork - without replacing clinical judgement.
Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill said the plan is about safer, smarter, more sustainable care. The aim is simple: use AI to support clinicians and deliver more consistent outcomes across the country.
Where AI will be applied
The strategy outlines four priority areas: clinical care, operations, research and innovation, and public health. Expect focused deployments that solve concrete problems, not flashy pilots that fade out.
What changes you can expect on the ground
- Faster diagnosis: Certified AI tools to help radiologists read X-rays, CTs and MRIs faster, with earlier detection of strokes, cancers and fractures.
- Better patient flow: AI-supported discharge planning to cut delays and free up beds.
- Less paperwork: AI scribe tools that can reduce documentation time by up to 40%, giving time back to patient care.
- Earlier detection: AI in screening to expand capacity and shorten turnaround times for results.
- More consistent care: Stronger use of evidence and data to reduce regional variation and improve planning.
- Greater efficiency: Better forecasting, reduced waste, and automation of high-volume administrative tasks.
Safety, transparency and oversight
AI systems will sit under mandatory human oversight and align with the EU AI Act. The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) will issue national guidance to support safe, transparent rollout - a key step in clinical assurance, post-market monitoring and public trust. See HIQA's work on digital health standards here.
Leaders' perspectives
"AI for Care marks an important step toward creating a safer, smarter, and more sustainable healthcare service," said Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill. "The strategy focuses on using technology to strengthen, rather than replace the vital human relationships at the core of healthcare."
HSE chief technology and transformation officer Damien McCallion called it a living strategy that will evolve with patient and provider needs over the next five years. HSE chief clinical information officer Richard Greene added that deployments will remain person-centric and transparent, with AI enabling - not replacing - healthcare professionals. The HSE will publish an AI Implementation Framework to drive consistent rollout across health regions.
How this maps to current system goals
'AI for Care' sits within the Government's Digital for Care agenda and complements the National Digital and AI Strategy. It supports Sláintecare's vision for integrated, person-centred services by improving access, speed and consistency of care.
What this means for your service
- Prioritise use cases: Start with imaging triage, discharge optimisation, or scribing - areas with clear ROI and clinical benefit.
- Set governance early: Define clinical oversight, model change control, incident response and post-deployment monitoring.
- Validate locally: Check performance on your population and pathways; document bias, safety and explainability findings.
- Prep data and workflow: Ensure data quality, integrations (RIS/PACS/EPR), and clear handoffs to avoid creating new bottlenecks.
- Train the workforce: Build capability for safe use, documentation, and accountability - from clinicians to operations and IT.
- Measure impact: Track time to diagnosis, length of stay, turnaround times, documentation minutes per patient, and patient-reported outcomes.
- Procure smart: Require CE/UKCA/FDA status where applicable, clear audit trails, privacy safeguards, and alignment with the EU AI Act.
This is a practical roadmap, not hype. Expect targeted deployments, stronger guardrails, and measurable gains in patient access and clinician time. The opportunity now is to pick the right problems, prove value fast, and scale safely.
Related resource: AI for Healthcare
Your membership also unlocks:
