AOTI Calls for Investment in Occupational Therapy in Budget 2026

AOTI has submitted its Pre-Budget 2026 Submission to the Ministers for Finance, Health and Education, highlighting the urgent need for increased investment in Occupational Therapy services.

Occupational Therapists enable children, adults and older people to live fuller, more independent lives. However, underfunding continues to limit access to vital services, leaving thousands waiting for support that could transform their ability to participate in home, school and community life.

In our submission, we are calling for Government action in seven key areas:

• Reinstating all vacant Occupational Therapy posts lost due to the HSE Pay and Numbers Strategy
• Addressing cost-of-living pressures by introducing Dublin weighting, housing supports and reviewing HSCP salary scales
• Strengthening career progression through more clinical specialist and advanced practitioner posts and broader career bands
• Implementing pay parity for Section 39 organisations to stabilise services
• Investing in practice tutor posts to support the planned doubling of Occupational Therapy graduates
• Addressing workforce gaps in Children’s Disability Network Teams, where there is currently a shortfall of almost 370 Occupational Therapists
• Committing to safe minimum staffing ratios across all health and social care settings supported by an Inter-Departmental Task Force
  Timely access to Occupational Therapy transforms lives. Budget 2026 must invest in the workforce needed to deliver these essential services.

For our members, we know the current environment is extremely challenging, with growing demand, stretched resources and long waiting lists in many areas. Our pre-budget submission is part of our ongoing commitment to advocate strongly on your behalf and to push for the supports you need to deliver the best possible Occupational Therapy services.

This work directly reflects AOTI Strategy 2024–2029, particularly our priority to Amplify Our Voice by strengthening advocacy to increase visibility of the transformative potential of Occupational Therapy. Through this submission, we are ensuring that the voice of the profession is heard at the highest levels of Government.

You can read our full submission here.