In the HRCI Position Paper 2025, we outline the top priorities for both HRCI and our members, aimed at enhancing health research in Ireland. While there are many aspects of health research in need of attention and support, we believe it is urgent and opportune to address these recommendations.

In consultation with our members, Health Research Charities Ireland has developed three asks for elected representatives & policy makers in 2025:

Ask 1        Resource the HSE Action Plan for Health Research, 2019 – 2029 as a matter of priority.

Ask 2        Enact legislation on research ethics committees and biobanking to ensure that critical gaps in the research landscape are addressed, within 18 months of the formation of the new Government.

Ask 3        Over the lifetime of this Government, increase research and development investment, year-on-year, to the EU average of 0.71% of GDP, with a particular focus on health and social care research.

We are asking elected representatives, policy makers and everyone with influence in the health research space to prioritise them, as they plan for the year ahead.