Healthcare is ‘bigger fiscal challenge’ than pensions

Missing budgetary targets on healthcare spending could put pressure on Ireland’s long-term budget planning, a major report on the economic effects of the ageing population in Europe has said, writes Pádraig Hoare.

Moody’s Investors Service said that “healthcare more than pensions will be key fiscal challenge from population ageing” and that repeated budgetary adjustments to make up for rising healthcare costs would prove difficult for the Government in the future.