Ireland's public debt declines to €223bn but risks persist 

Challenges include the ageing population and the growing number of retirees forecast over the coming years

Finance Minister Michael McGrath and the department's chief economist John McCarthy. 

The Department of Finance is projecting Irish public debt to continue to decline over the coming years, but challenges around demographic changes as well as as issues arising from de-globalisation could see the debt increase again.

As of the end of 2023, gross public debt dropped to €223bn, which equates to about €42,000 per person living here. When the Government’s liquid assets are taken into account, the country’s net debt stands at €184bn.