Ireland's healthcare system comprises public and private health services.Public services, funded by the government and administered by the HSE ("Health Service Executive"), are provided by large hospitals and not-for-profit organizations. The private sector includes care delivered by liberal healthcare professionals or private structures. In 2022, around 47% of the population had private health insurance.

In 2024, Ireland had 86 hospitals, 78% of which were publicly funded, with a capacity of around 3 beds per 1,000 inhabitants. A reform of the HSE in March 2024 created six new health regions, each responsible for organizing healthcare within its territory.

Residents have access to a wide range of free or discounted public healthcare services. Patients in private hospitals must pay in advance or have their insurance cover them, with a co-payment depending on coverage.

In 2018, the Irish Department of Health launched the "Sláintecare" program with a strategy and action plan for 2021-2023, highlighting digital health as a key pillar. The review of this initiative is available online. The review of this initiative is available online.

In May 2024, a new strategy entitled "Digital for Care: A Digital Health Framework for Ireland (2024-2030)" was presented, replacing the 2013 strategy (national digital health strategy). This framework proposes a roadmap for investment in digital health, including electronic medical records.

The HSE has also drawn up its own roadmap for the digital transformation of health, highlighting priorities such as empowering patients, modernizing working conditions for healthcare professionals, investing in interconnected systems, optimizing the use of health data and supporting innovation.