Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Nursing Homes Ireland held a briefing here yesterday to outline the very real crisis facing the sector, one that is laid bare in black and white in a report prepared by PwC. In the past three years, 950 beds have been lost, mainly in rural and regional areas. Some 31 voluntary and private nursing homes have closed, a number of which were in Roscommon and Galway. The report makes three recommendations. I ask the Minister of State to consider the recommendations, including funding via the National Treatment Purchase Fund, NTPF, for nursing homes. They care for our most vulnerable citizens and it is a great shame to think so many lose their homes and have to move. That is not what they deserve. I ask the Minister of State to read the report that has been prepared and consider its recommendations.

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