Ireland's health service is heading for sustained pressure as the population grows and gets older, according to the ESRI. The Economic and Social Research Institute warns that demand for care will climb steadily over the coming decades. More people, and a larger share of them in older age groups, will need treatment across hospitals and community services. The institute says continued action will be required if the system is to remain sustainable in the long term. Workforce levels and funding arrangements both come into that equation. An ageing population tends to need more complex and longer spells of care, which raises costs as well as demand. Without planning ahead, the gap between what the system can deliver and what people need is likely to widen. The message to policymakers is that choices made now will shape how well health services cope years down the line.