This is the plain language summary of the report, An Assessment of the Evidence Support System for Health Policy-Making in Ireland, applies the Rapid Evidence Support System Assessment (RESSA) tool to examine how evidence is requested, produced and used within the health policy system.
This report presents the findings of a Rapid Evidence Support System Assessment (RESSA) of Ireland’s evidence support system for health policy-making. Evidence support systems encompass the people, processes, structures, and resources that enable decision-makers to access and use research evidence, data, and analysis in a timely, transparent, and effective manner. The findings show that Ireland […]
Drugnet Ireland is the Health Research Board’s quarterly drug and alcohol research and policy newsletter. It provides summaries and analysis of recent publications and policy developments and well as overviews of particular issues relating to the drug and alcohol situation Ireland. Experts from the EUDA national focal point and from the HRB Evidence Centre contribute […]
By 2050, the population of those aged 65 years and over is expected to double, increasing demand for care in hospitals and residential care facilities. Current Government policy aims to support older people to live independently at home for as long as possible. Assistive technology (AT) particularly with remote patient monitoring capabilities can promote independent […]
The HRB Annual Report 2025, Part 1, can be read in conjunction with Part Two which is published later in 2026. This report contains the Chairperson and Chief Executive’s report; a snapshot of important HRB activities during 2025; key deliverables (in line with the HRB Strategy 2021-2025, Health Research – Making an Impact), case studies […]
Background: The spatial distribution of alcohol outlets is a key determinant of alcohol availability and related harms. Guided by the Social Determinants of Health framework, this study examines how area-level deprivation and alcohol availability interact to shape inequalities in alcohol-related harm, including within the context of the alcohol harm paradox, by exploring outlet density, distribution, […]
Prevention has been a pillar of successive Irish national drugs strategies, with several actions aimed at improving the well-being of young people through delaying the initiation of substance use and providing resources to encourage protective behaviour. In preparation for a new national drugs strategy in 2026, the Department of Health considered how Ireland might develop […]
The 2025 report provides data presented nationally as well as by: – county – hospital type – individual psychiatric units/hospitals Data tables and individual bulletins for all HSE health regions can be found below:
Objectives: In Ireland, data on dual diagnosis (DD) is limited. This study aims to describe the characteristics of deaths among people who both used drugs and had a mental health (MH) condition to better understand DD and to help improve the provision of DD services in Ireland. Methods: Data from the National Drug-Related Deaths Index […]
This report can be read in conjunction which Part One of the report which contains the Chairperson and Chief Executive’s report; a snapshot of important HRB activities during 2024; key deliverables (in line with the HRB Strategy 2021-2025, Health Research – Making an Impact) and appendices. This publication contains corporate governance and financial statements approved […]
Drugnet Ireland is the Health Research Board’s quarterly drug and alcohol research and policy newsletter. It provides summaries and analysis of recent publications and policy developments and well as overviews of particular issues relating to the drug and alcohol situation Ireland. Experts from the EUDA national focal point and from the HRB Evidence Centre contribute […]
The 2024 European Web Survey on Drugs (EWSD) took place across 35 European countries, including Ireland, from May to July 2024. The objective of the 2024 EWSD was to determine patterns of drug use among a convenience sample of people aged 18 years and over in Ireland who have used drugs in the past year. […]
Smile agus Sláinte, Ireland’s national oral health policy, aims to transform Ireland’s oral healthcare system by making services more accessible and focusing on prevention rather than just treatment. Oral health promotion supports this shift from acute intervention to preventive care. This overview of reviews presents evidence to inform the Department of Health on what types […]
Objective: To examine the effectiveness and safety of pharmacist prescribing across multiple healthcare settings. Design: A systematic review of quantitative studies. Eligibility criteria for the selection of studies: Quantitative studies assessing the effectiveness and safety of pharmacist prescribing compared with non-pharmacist prescribing in any healthcare setting and for any healthcare population. A clear statement of […]
This is the annual, updated bulletin from the National Drug Treatment Reporting System (NDTRS) on cases of treated problem alcohol use in Ireland. This bulletin includes a detailed summary of 8,798 cases treated for alcohol as a main problem in 2025. Trends cover a nine-year period 2017 to 2025.
BACKGROUND: The association between alcohol use and poor mental health is well known. Although psychiatric services and supports are typically delivered in community settings, some individuals require specialist inpatient care for alcohol-related disorders. For many, multiple admissions may be required, referred to as the ‘Revolving Door’ (RD) phenomenon. AIMS: This study examines alcohol-related admissions to […]
Bulletin from the National Ability Supports System (NASS) on data provided by disability service providers for people engaging with services through the HSE disability budget in 2025.
This is the annual, updated bulletin from the National Drug Treatment Reporting System (NDTRS) on cases of treated problem drug use (excluding alcohol) in Ireland. This bulletin includes a detailed summary of 15,422 cases treated for drug use as a main problem in 2025. Trends cover an nine-year period 2017 to 2025.
The HRB Strategy 2026-2030: Bringing research to life, is a five-year strategic plan that defines the aims, activities and outcomes of the organisation at a high level. Developed following a process of extensive engagement with stakeholders, the strategy sets out a clear direction for the HRB and is built around five interlinked and mutually supportive […]
Straitéis 2026-2030: Beocht a chur i dtaighde is ea an plean straitéise 5 bliana a chuireann in iúl go cinnte na haidhmeanna, na gníomhaíochtaí agus torthaí na heaghraíochta ag ard-leibhéal. Tugadh an plean chun críche taréis mórchuid teangmhála le geallsealbhóirí; leagann an straitéis amach bealach díreach don Bord Taighde Sláinte, ata tógtha timpeall ar chuspóirí […]
BACKGROUND: There are substantial inequalities in alcohol-related mortality related to individual-level education, income, and employment status, but less is known about the association between alcohol-related mortality and the geographic characteristics of an area. This systematic review aims to explore whether area-level features, including area-level measures of socioeconomic status, are associated with alcohol-attributable mortality. METHODS: We […]
Drugnet Ireland is the Health Research Board’s quarterly drug and alcohol research and policy newsletter. It provides summaries and analysis of recent publications and policy developments and well as overviews of particular issues relating to the drug and alcohol situation Ireland. Experts from the EUDA national focal point and from the HRB Evidence Centre contribute […]
Alcohol-related fatal fires represent a tragic but preventable death. Geographic features of these events can inform prevention campaigns and are important to consider in combination with other risk factors. This study aims to examine the factors associated with alcohol-related versus non-alcohol-related fatal fires, and to examine geographical characteristics of alcohol-related fatal fires in Ireland.
In this bulletin, data on deaths among people who were homeless and who died in 2022 are presented, along with a summary of deaths that occurred from 2019 to 2022. The NDRDI collects data on all deaths among people who were homeless at the time of death, to improve understanding of premature mortality among people […]
A review of European Union cancer research grants obtained by partners in Ireland using the Health Research Classification System (HRCS)
