Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for the way in which she addressed this. I am in discussions with Department officials to examine ways in which funding can continue to be used to support, where necessary and appropriate, those nursing homes not scheduled to renegotiate their deeds of agreement this year. We are also looking at an expected extension of the temporary inflation payment scheme.

The Department's records show that 18 nursing homes have closed this year with a reduction of 514 registered beds. This includes two nursing homes with a total of 43 beds that were not active. Four nursing homes have opened with a total of 448 registered beds so the number of residents who have needed to move to other facilities will be lower. I take on board the Deputy's point that we are losing small and voluntary family-run nursing homes in communities where they are hugely important. This is an area I am focusing on.

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