Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wish to discuss the need for additional supports for private nursing homes. As the Minister of State is aware, 16 private nursing homes have closed over the past 12 months alone. There are more than 30,000 residents between public and private nursing homes. Approximately 7,000 of them are in public nursing homes, with in excess of 23,000 in private ones. The cost base of each nursing home varies, but the average for a public nursing home is approximately €1,650 per bed per week whereas the average for a private nursing home is in excess of €1,100 per bed per week.

I will cite a study done on a nursing home. In 2020, the wage and salary costs there were €710 per bed per week. In quarter 2 of 2022, they were €864. Direct costs increased from €56 per bed per week to €71 and the cost of lighting and heating increased from €17 per bed per week to €55. According to the analysis of this single nursing home, the overall cost increased from €912 per bed per week in 2020 to €1,134 per bed per week in quarter 2 of 2022. That was an increase of €222. Additional supports are needed. Importantly, they must be introduced early.

There is an issue that many people are not aware of, in that private nursing homes are paying for a number of items that are not paid for by public nursing homes. Despite that, the public nursing homes' cost per bed per week is in excess of €1,650. For example, commercial rates are paid by private nursing homes whereas public ones do not need to pay them. The average cost of commercial rates for a 50-bed private nursing home is more than €40,000 per annum. That cost is substantially higher in the Dublin area. Some €40,000 per annum is going to the local authority from a private nursing home whereas the public sector is not required to pay.

Likewise, there are a whole host of costs, including light and heat. The cost of wages in order to retain staff is extremely difficult. If we want to prevent further nursing home closures in the next six months, additional supports need to be put in place at the earliest possible date.

When a person is admitted to a private nursing home, there is an assessment of the fee that will be paid and the supports the person will get under the fair deal scheme. I understand that does not vary even if the patient needs a greater standard of care two or three years later, whereas in a public nursing home that changes. Public and private nursing homes provide the best standard of care to their patients. It is extremely important that we put in place the additional supports at the earliest possible date.

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