Nursing Homes Ireland Response to Government Roadmap on Employment Permit Salary Thresholds
Wednesday December 3, 2025Nursing Homes Ireland acknowledges the publication of the Government’s Roadmap for Minimum Annual Remuneration Salary Thresholds, which introduces increases to employment permit salary requirements from 1 March 2026.
NHI fully supports fair and appropriate remuneration for all nursing home care staff. However, fees for nursing home care are set by the State under the Nursing Home Support Scheme, and currently do not reflect the full cost of delivering complex care in a high-cost environment.
NHI has requested additional dedicated funding and a longer lead-in time to support providers to plan for and absorb further mandated increases in employment costs. Without adequate resourcing through the NHSS, providers will face mounting financial strain at a time when staffing pressures and resident dependency levels are rising.
Tadhg Daly, CEO of Nursing Homes Ireland, said:
“Fair and appropriate remuneration for all who work in nursing home care is essential, and providers are committed to delivering this. However, the State sets the fees under the Nursing Home Support Scheme, and these fees must reflect the true cost of care if salary increases and rising operating costs are to be sustained.
“Without additional resourcing, including a more transparent, index-linked approach to NHSS fees that reflects changes in employment permit thresholds and other pay-related costs, providers will face increasing challenges in ensuring staff can be remunerated fairly while maintaining service continuity.
“We have repeatedly sought additional funding and a longer lead-in time, and we continue to urge Government to align these new requirements with realistic and sustainable funding arrangements.”
Nursing Homes Ireland will continue to engage with Government to ensure that any changes to employment permit thresholds are matched with sustainable funding, so that nursing home residents can continue to receive the high-quality care they depend on.
ENDS
For more information, please contact:
Nursing Homes Ireland
Kevin Deegan | communications@nhi.ie
M: 087 236 3039
About Nursing Homes Ireland
Nursing Homes Ireland (NHI) is the national representative body for the private and voluntary nursing home sector, encompassing over 440 nursing homes across Ireland, which provide care to over 27,000 people. Our mission is to actively support and represent our members, enabling them to deliver sustainable, high-quality care to their residents. As the voice of nursing home sector, we are dedicated to championing a care-first philosophy. We actively advocate for the rights and well-being of residents, while responding to the evolving needs and challenges faced by our members. Through this, we pledge to uphold our role as advocates, embracing the direct voices of those we serve and continuously striving to promote excellence in care.