Áine Brady (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)

At present, it is estimated there are 23,000 people in long-term residential care in Ireland and of these, 7.5% are under 65 years of age. This indicates 21,275 people in long-term residential care are over 65 years of age, which equates to 4.6% of that population. The total number of beds in nursing homes, including long-stay and respite beds, is 29,000, of which 10,000 are public and 19,000 are private. The total number of long-stay beds in nursing homes is 25,985, including 8,235 public beds and 17,750 private beds. The total number of occupants in nursing homes is 23,000, of which 7,500 are public, an occupancy rate of 91%, and 15,500 are private, an occupancy rate of 86%. That is the number of beds at present.