An additional 8,000 healthcare staff to be recruited

Some €10.5m is to be provided for an extra 19 critical care beds, bringing the total number of ICU beds to 340.

The most urgent health priority under Budget 2022 will involve immediate actions to address waiting lists which are now at an all-time high.

An extra 8,000 healthcare staff will be recruited next year, bringing the total workforce to 144,000.