LauraLynn, Ireland's Children's Hospice, is calling for action in Budget 2027 to ensure children with life-limiting conditions and their families can access specialist palliative and hospice care when and where they need it.
As Ireland's only children's hospice, LauraLynn provides specialist consultant-led palliative care and hospice services to babies, children and young people across the country. Support is tailored to the needs of each child and family and may include specialist medical and nursing care, symptom management, planned respite breaks, psychosocial support, end-of-life care and bereavement support.
Care can be provided at LauraLynn's purpose-built hospice in Dublin, in hospital, in the community or in the family home.
The value of children's hospice care
New Irish data shows that up to 8,000 children are living with life-limiting conditions in Ireland, with approximately 1,500 requiring specialist palliative care at any given time.
Although these children represent less than one per cent of the Irish population, they account for:
- One fifth of all acute pediatric hospital bed days
- 29% of children in intensive care for one month or longer
- 54% of children with hospital stays of three months or longer
International evidence demonstrates that early access to children's hospice care improves outcomes for children and families. It can also help reduce avoidable hospital admissions, intensive care use, and hospital stays.
LauraLynn's priorities for Budget 2027
For children with palliative care needs and their families, access to specialist care and support cannot wait. LauraLynn is calling on the Government to focus on three key priorities:
1. Fully fund children's hospice care
The State recognises hospice care as an essential healthcare service. Adult hospices are now fully funded through the HSE and Section 38 arrangements, while LauraLynn currently receives 27% of its core costs through statutory funding.
Budget 2027 should redesignate LauraLynn as a Section 38 organisation and provide full statutory funding for its core services.
2. Fast-track a new Children's Palliative Care Policy
The Programme for Government commits to developing a new Children's Palliative Care Policy.
Budget 2027 should support the fast-tracked development of an ambitious, evidence-based policy that enables children and families to make the most of every moment when life is short.
3. Protect the current national funding model
The current national funding model enables specialist expertise to be delivered efficiently across hospice, home, hospital, and community settings.
Budget 2027 should maintain and strengthen this model to ensure that children and families across Ireland can continue to access specialist children's palliative care.
Budget 2027 presents an opportunity to provide certainty, equity and sustainability for children's hospice care through secure funding, evidence-informed policy, and equitable access to services nationwide.
How you can help
TDs and Senators are currently considering the priorities that will shape Budget 2027. Hearing directly from constituents can make a real difference.
LauraLynn is asking supporters to contact their local TDs and ask them to support these Budget 2027 priorities. A short email, phone call, or conversation can help raise awareness of the needs of children with life-limiting conditions and their families.
You can find the contact details for your local TDs through the Oireachtas website.
