NHI Welcomes Additional Fair Deal Funding for Older People, Calls for Long-Term Sustainable Funding Model
Wednesday October 8, 2025Nursing Homes Ireland (NHI) has welcomed additional funding for the Fair Deal Scheme in Budget 2026 announced today by Minister for Older People Kieran O’Donnell. The additional funding for 2026 is vital and reflects the significant cost pressures facing nursing home care providers together with demographic pressures associated with our ageing population.
However, NHI is calling on Government to now deliver on its Programme for Government commitment to publish the NTPF pricing review and move to an equitable, sustainable funding model that provides long-term certainty for nursing homes. A long-needed forum to plan for the future of the sector also needs to be established, the NHI said.
Tadhg Daly, CEO of Nursing Homes Ireland, said: “We welcome this additional €92 million in Fair Deal funding for 2026 required to support our increasing older population requiring nursing home care. Private and voluntary nursing home care providers deliver over 80% of nursing home care for more than 30,000 older people, and this increased funding acknowledges the vital role the sector plays in long-term care.
Time to Move Beyond Annual Budget Cycles
Mr Daly continued: “We need to move beyond year-to-year uncertainty. The demographic reality is clear: Ireland’s population is ageing rapidly. We cannot plan for this future through annual budget cycles. What is required is multi-annual funding, workforce planning, and a proper structural Fair Deal funding framework.
“In the Programme for Government, there is an express commitment to ‘publish the NTPF review of pricing systems and work towards an equitable funding model for the nursing home sector.’ This commitment was made for early 2025.
“We are calling on Government to publish this review immediately and to work with us to develop the equitable funding model promised. Today’s budget announcement demonstrates Government’s understanding of the cost pressures which we welcome.”
National Nursing Home Care Policy Essential
Mr Daly added: “Ireland remains without a dedicated national nursing home care policy. We need a proper structural framework that recognises nursing home care as a crucial component of the health and social care continuum.
“Older people deserve a care system built on sustainability, person-centred values, and human rights. They deserve care that honours their dignity and allows them to remain in their local communities, close to family and friends. Today’s budget investment is an important step. Now we need the long-term plan to sustain and build on this progress.
“We are as ever, ready to work with Government and all stakeholders, to develop this vision. With the right structural supports, sustainable funding, and workforce investment, we can meet the challenges ahead. The time to act is now.”
ENDS
Kevin Deegan,
Policy & Communications Lead, NHI
communications@nhi.ie | 087 236 3039