Leading respiratory organisations met with members of the Oireachtas at Buswells Hotel on the eve of World Lung Day to highlight priorities for respiratory patients and healthcare services ahead of Budget 2027.
Campaigns , Policy & advocacy , Pre-Budget Submissions
September 24, 2026
Respiratory and health organisations from across Ireland came together in Buswells Hotel, Dublin, today ahead of World Lung Day on 25 September, to call for increased investment in lung health and bring the concerns of people with respiratory conditions and the healthcare professionals who care for them directly to politicians ahead of Budget 2027 and the new Dáil term.
The event was organised by the Asthma Society of Ireland as a collaborative initiative, giving each participating organisation a platform to speak to the issues facing its own patient community. Together, the organisations highlighted the gaps in access to timely diagnosis, standardised and evidence-based care and specialist services. They also called for sustained investment in respiratory research and disease registries, alongside action to address preventable risks to lung health, including air pollution, climate change and smoking.
Participating organisations included the Irish Thoracic Society, the Cystic Fibrosis Registry of Ireland, COPD Support Ireland, Alpha-1 Foundation Ireland, the Climate and Health Alliance, the Tobacco Free Generation Alliance, Pulmonary Hypertension Ireland, and representatives from the Paediatric Severe Asthma Registry.
The Asthma Society’s central recommendation for Budget 2027 is the phased introduction of free Maintenance and Reliever Therapy (MART) inhalers, starting with children aged 12 to 17 at a cost of €12.1 million to the state. This would help tens of thousands of families access this treatment, recommended by Irish and international clinical guidelines.
The call comes alongside recent research from the Society which highlights the growing financial burden asthma places on families across Ireland. A patient survey carried out in April 2026 found that 46% of people feel asthma places a financial strain on their household and 1 in 10 said their child had gone without their prescribed asthma medication during the previous three months because they could not afford it.
Colm Burke TD acted as political sponsor for the event. Deputy Burke is the longest-serving member of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and its Leas-Chathaoirleach (Deputy Chairperson). Speaking about the event, Deputy Burke said “World Lung Day is an important opportunity to focus on the very real challenges facing people living with asthma and other respiratory conditions. No child should have to go without prescribed medication because their family cannot afford it, and I believe the proposal to introduce free MART inhalers for young people aged 12 to 17 deserves serious consideration.”
Deputy Burke added “We also need continued investment in respiratory research, disease registries and services so that policy is informed by good evidence and patients can access the care they need. I welcome the respiratory organisations coming together to put these practical issues directly on the agenda.”
The event came at a critical time for the Asthma Society of Ireland as people with asthma head into winter, when cold weather, mould and respiratory infections can worsen symptoms and raise the risk of a serious asthma attack. So far this year, demand for the Asthma Society’s free Asthma Adviceline has risen by 13% compared with 2025 and by 58% compared with 2024. The increase reflects the growing need for trusted expert advice and support to help families manage the condition.
Eilís Ní Chaithnía, CEO, Asthma Society of Ireland, said, “We’re proud to bring the respiratory community together this World Lung Day. Respiratory illness touches families in every community in Ireland, and too many patients are still not getting the care they require. That need is especially clear as we move into winter. Cold weather, mould and infections make this a dangerous time for people with asthma, and the sharp rise in calls to our Adviceline shows just how many families are looking for trusted support. Standing together with our colleagues across the sector, we asked politicians to back real, practical change in Budget 2027 so that every patient can get the care they need.”
The participating organisations will continue working together to ensure lung health is recognised as a national priority in Budget 2027 and beyond.
This event is kindly supported by MSD Ireland who had no influence over any aspect of the design, delivery, or content of the event.