Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Once again, I raise the issue with the Taoiseach of more and more private and voluntary nursing homes closing - 18 last year, two this year already - because they are no longer viable. Before the current cost-of-living increases, it was recognised that fair deal scheme payments to nursing homes were inadequate. There was an 8% increase in inflation last year and 7% is forecast this year. More and more nursing homes, especially those that are smaller and family-run, are struggling to survive, and more will close this year. What is happening is that we are losing existing capacity and while some new nursing homes are coming onstream, overall there is still a net loss of beds when bed numbers should be increased. There is huge demand and the new nursing homes are largely located in cities and larger towns while rural areas are losing their existing nursing homes. I am asking the Taoiseach to act on this.

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