Fórsa has told the Government that Ireland’s 2026 Presidency of the Council of the European Union, which begins in July, must put housing, healthcare and the cost of living at the centre of the EU agenda. 

In a recent submission to a consultation run by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the union argued that the three interconnected crises of housing, healthcare and cost of living are currently having a significant impact on workers’ living standards, the delivery of public services and social cohesion in Ireland, and right across Europe. You can find Fórsa’s full submission here.

Fórsa’s submission highlights the significant challenges facing Europe’s labour market and makes specific recommendations for Ireland’s Presidency on each of the three priority themes. 

General secretary Kevin Callinan said: “The EU Presidency is a chance for Ireland to put workers’ lived experience at the centre of European decision-making. It is our view that anything less than an ambitious, proactive approach to tackling these interconnected issues would be a significant missed opportunity for the Presidency and for workers across Europe. 

Kevin continued: “We have used this submission to highlight the top three priorities affecting Irish workers, and people across Europe, which we believe should be given particular attention during Ireland’s Presidency.” 

“Ireland’s upcoming EU Presidency should place the lived experiences of workers, particularly younger workers, centre stage. We know these are our members’ core issues because they have told us in numerous surveys. Our research reflects not just personal experiences, but widespread concerns around over-stretched and under-resourced public services. Interventionist policies on housing, healthcare and the cost of living must now be prioritised if the EU is to address the realities of people’s everyday lives.” 

The cost-of-living crisis, rising housing costs, and pressures on essential public services have left many struggling to make ends meet. With 84% of Fórsa members advocating for a real pay rise that goes beyond the rate of inflation as part of the next public sector agreement, their demands and concerns could not be clearer. 

Beyond pay and working conditions, Fórsa members have also outlined targeted investment in healthcare as their top priority, followed by housing, with care for older people notably following close behind. 

Fórsa’s submission outlined that housing is now the single most destabilising issue facing workers. While house prices across the EU have risen sharply since 2010, Ireland has seen far steeper increases, with rents more than doubling and home ownership slipping further out of reach for younger workers. 

Figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) in January 2025 showed that 69% of people aged 25 were still living with their parents, and 85.8% were “very concerned” about the housing crisis. 

According to Eurostat, house prices in Europe have increased by 57.9% since 2010. This compares to an 80% increase in the same period in Ireland. The cost of renting is also a significant problem. Rents in Europe have increased by 27.8% since 2010. This compares to an increase of 115% in Ireland. 

To counter this, Fórsa said Ireland must use its Presidency to drive the delivery of affordable public homes across Europe, including the implementation of the European Affordable Housing Plan and expanded cost-rental models.  

On healthcare, Fórsa stressed that without a major shift towards public investment and workforce planning, healthcare systems across the EU risk long-term decline or even collapse. Staff shortages, burnout and a growing reliance on private sector agency providers are challenges present across Europe. Fórsa also warned that current models disproportionately impact women, who make up the majority of care workers and continue to carry the burden of unpaid care. 

The submission called for a strong EU-wide response, including better implementation of the EU Care Strategy, a European healthcare workforce plan, and targeted investment in public provision and long-term care. 

The union also argued that the Presidency must confront the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, noting that most Fórsa members say their standard of living has declined in recent years. Despite inflation stabilising, Fórsa told Government that workers are still falling behind. Nearly three-quarters of members responding to Fórsa’s latest survey said their standard of living has worsened, with younger and lower-paid workers hit hardest.  

Fórsa’s director of campaigns Kevin Donoghue said: “These interconnected crises demand coordinated EU action, not short-term fixes or further privatisation. Fórsa has consistently argued that joined-up thinking is needed.” 

“The submission once again calls for a new social compact which would bring together government, employers, and unions to support Ireland and the EU to better address or resolve present and future challenges, such as healthcare, childcare, education, housing, and climate change. Such a system would also strengthen the EU’s resilience and ability to respond to any future crises.” 

You can find Fórsa’s full submission here.

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