Movember calls on Irish Government to back men’s health in Budget 2027

Supporting the delivery of the National Action Plan

Building on our landmark 'Real Face of Men's Health in Ireland' report, published in September 2025, the submission calls on Government to support the delivery of the National Men’s Health Action Plan 2024-2028 through the allocation of €10 million over the coming two budget cycles.

The submission also calls on Government to bring a broader and deeper policy approach to men’s health through the development of a new National Men’s Health Policy as a whole-of-government policy mandate – complementing, not replacing, the National Men’s Health Action Plan. A renewed National Men’s Health Policy would permit cross-government leadership, coordination and accountability, with alignment across health, employment, education, agriculture and social inclusion.

Backing what works through sustained investment in men’s health

In towns and villages across Ireland, local men's health initiatives are making a huge difference on limited resources, and our submission calls on Government to back them.

You may have seen the film we released last June for Men's Health Week, showcasing the men, clubs, and groups doing this work.

Sustained support and funding will allow community men’s health initiatives and programmes like these to scale up, expand and engage with a large number of young boys and men all over Ireland. 

That is why we have called for the establishment of a 3-year public investment fund in grassroots men’s health community programmes in Ireland, and we have pledged to partner with Government to increase this fund and expand the base of potential funders, leveraging our strong track record of collaboration with Governments on backing men’s health.

We are also calling on Government to back what works through support of some of Movember’s own initiatives. This includes a call for Government investment in Movember Ahead of the Game, and for the piloting and scaling of Movember’s Men in Mind training programme among mental health professionals in Ireland.

Our ongoing engagement with policymakers in Ireland

We know that men’s health creates benefits that extend far beyond the individual, leading to stronger families, healthier relationships, and more resilient communities.

And we know that improving men’s health in Ireland requires sustained political commitment, policy focus, and investment.

That’s why Movember will continue to work together with partners in Government and in the wider health sector to tackle the complex issues in men’s health together.

None of this happens without the people who fundraise, donate and show up every year. Thank you for making it possible.

Key messages:

• Poor men’s health is costing the state an estimated €1 billion per annum, 70% of which is potentially preventable.

• The cost of action is modest. The cost of inaction is already being paid every day by men, families, communities and the state.

• Practical solutions are available, and public support exists.

• The question we are asking ahead of Budget 2027 is whether we all want a healthier Ireland that is inclusive of all our men, young and old.

• We are calling on Government to support the delivery of the National Men’s Health Action Plan 2024-2028 through the allocation of €10 million over the coming two budget cycles.

• We are calling on Government to ‘back what works’ in towns and villages across Ireland through the establishment of a 3-year public investment fund in grassroots men’s health community programmes, and Movember pledges to partner with government to increase and expand this fund.

• We are calling on Government to bring a broader and deeper policy approach to men’s health through the development of a new National Men’s Health Policy as a whole-of-government policy mandate