Nursing Homes Ireland Welcomes Seanad Motion and Discussion on Nursing Home Care; Calls for Urgent Policy Reform
Friday March 7, 2025Cross-Party Support for Nursing Home Care Highlights Need for Immediate Action
Nursing Homes Ireland (NHI) welcomes the recent Seanad Éireann motion on nursing home care, which saw cross-party recognition of the essential role of nursing homes and the urgent need for policy reform to ensure a sustainable future for the private and voluntary sector. The discussion underscored the challenges facing nursing homes, including Fair Deal Scheme funding issues, rising operational costs, workforce shortages, and nursing home closures, all of which threaten the long-term viability of private and voluntary providers.
During the debate, Senators from across the political spectrum called on Government:
- in supporting the strengthening of our nursing home sector, to:
- increase funding for the Fair Deal Scheme and ensure the waiting list does not exceed four weeks;
- build more public nursing home beds;
- publish the National Treatment Purchase Fund review of pricing systems in early 2025 and work towards an equitable funding model for the nursing home sector;
- provide a career pathway for healthcare assistants.
Recognising the impact of closures, with Senators highlighting that 77 nursing homes have shut down since 2018, resulting in the loss of 2,800 beds and increased pressure on acute hospitals.
Minister of State for Older People and Housing, Deputy Kieran O’Donnell, acknowledged the challenges facing the sector, stating that while Government policy supports keeping older people at home for as long as possible, nursing homes remain a vital part of Ireland’s healthcare system.
Minister O’Donnell confirmed that he had “met the National Treatment Purchase Fund in the past couple of days, and I want to see that review finalised”, stating that “it is something I am very keen on and also a commitment in the Programme for Government.”
NHI Advocating for Sustainable Nursing Home Care Policy
Nursing Homes Ireland continues to engage across the political spectrum in the Seanad and Dáil Éireann to advocate for policy reform that ensures a fair, transparent, and sustainable future for nursing home care.
Tadhg Daly, NHI CEO stated:
“The recent Seanad motion highlights once again what Nursing Homes Ireland has been saying for years, urgent reform is needed to ensure a fair and sustainable future for nursing home care. “With 77 nursing home closures since 2018 and 2,800+ lost beds, the current funding model is failing residents, families and providers. The Fair Deal Pricing Scheme must be reformed to reflect the true cost of care and to ensure that nursing homes can remain open.
“We welcome the commitment from Minister O’Donnell to addressing these concerns and look forward to the immediate publication of the NTPF pricing review. This review must lead to meaningful action that ensures equitable funding and a sustainable model for nursing home care. NHI will continue to engage across the Seanad and Dáil to advocate for an equitable, transparent, and sustainable funding model that protects the future of nursing home care in Ireland.”
Constructive Discussion
We welcome the constructive contributions from Senators and acknowledge the Minister’s commitment to addressing key issues, but further action is needed to ensure that:
- The Fair Deal Scheme reflects the true cost of care, preventing further nursing home closures.
- Funding is provided equitably, ensuring a sustainable and equitable future for nursing homes.
- A long-term nursing home care strategy and national nursing home care policy is developed to address these crucial issues.
The debate demonstrated broad political recognition of the challenges facing nursing homes, but we must now move beyond discussion to real policy solutions and the required actions.
NHI will continue to work with all parties and policymakers to ensure that nursing home care in Ireland is adequately funded, equitably supported, and positioned to meet the needs of our ageing population.
We encourage all stakeholders, residents, families, and care providers to engage with us and support our advocacy efforts.