Jennifer Carroll MacNeill becomes first female Health Minister since Mary Harney
Health unions have welcomed the appointment of Jennifer Carroll MacNeill as the new Minister for Health but warn of the challenges that lay ahead without urgent reform of services.
The Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) warned that the public health sector will continue to struggle to meet patient needs under current plans to recruit just 3,500 extra HSE positions.
The group also said that the Programme for Government lacks detail on resources or implementation dates for key healthcare developments, with most promises just a repeat of previous commitments that have not been met.
“On behalf of the IMO, I would like to congratulate Deputy Carroll MacNeill on her appointment as Minister for Health,” said IMO president Dr Denis McCauley.
“We look forward to meeting with her soon to start work on bringing the aspirations of the recently announced Programme for Government to reality.
“However, it is important the new Minister appreciates that we must very quickly see a detailed implementation plan with a corresponding commitment to funding. Doctors and other healthcare professionals are struggling to deliver care in environments that are under-resourced, under-staffed and under pressure.
“Patients all around the country are facing problems accessing care whether that be in general practice, mental health services, acute hospital services or community services.
He added: “The IMO has long campaigned for adequate capacity, a funded medical workforce plan and investment in general practice – we will be seeking to engage with Minister Carroll MacNeill on the implementation of these targets and a realistic multi-annual funding programme for our health services that meets the needs of the population and allows doctors to deliver timely care.”
The Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) said it looks forward to working with the new Minister on the programme for government, particularly in the areas of supporting community pharmacists and enhancing accessible healthcare delivery.
“On behalf of community pharmacists across Ireland, I congratulate Minister Carroll MacNeill on her appointment,” said IPU president Tom Murray.
“We welcome the opportunity to collaborate with the new Minister to address the challenges currently faced by pharmacists, resolving these issues are critical to ensuring a robust, effective and accessible healthcare system.
Mr Murray added:“Community Pharmacists play a vital role in the healthcare system, yet the sustainability of community pharmacies is a risk due to outdated policies and lack of resources. Implementing the commitments in the programme for government without delay is essential to empower pharmacists and improve patient care nationwide.”
Jennifer Carroll MacNeill becomes a senior Minister for the first time, having previously served as Minister for European Affairs and Defence since last April 2024. Before that, she was a Minister of State in the Department for Finance with special responsibility for financial services, credit unions and insurance.
Minister Carroll MacNeill was elected as a TD for the Dún Laoghaire constituency in the 2020 General Election. She served on a number of Oireachtas Committees including the Public Accounts Committee, the Justice Committee and the Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement. She was also a member of the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly.
Before entering elected politics, Minister Carroll MacNeill qualified as a solicitor and barrister. She holds a PhD in public policy where her research interest was in political institutions and the judiciary.
Minister Carroll MacNeill has worked as a lawyer in the public service, both within the Oireachtas as Legal Adviser in the Office of the Leader of Fine Gael and within Government as Special Adviser in the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, in the Department of Justice and Equality and in the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government.
