Seán Kyne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Minister of State is welcome to the Chamber to discuss this important area. From time to time, we will all experience family members who enjoy the great care and support of nursing homes. I think of my uncle who passed away in March and attended a private nursing home under the fair deal. I think of all the carers, many of whom came from outside of this country, who are looking after our loved ones. It is important that we acknowledge that because some people have different views about immigration, but when they come to a stage where they need to be cared for they might have a different attitude given the great care and love that immigrants provide in our nursing homes.

The funding inequality between private and public nursing homes is putting a strain on the private system. The HSE has to do a job, but it is poaching staff from the private to the public sector which is putting pressure on the private system. Recruitment is important. There is a requirement under law and HIQA that there are sufficient staff to care for our loved ones up and down the country and we expect nothing less. In terms of visas, can more be done to ensure we have sufficient staff for private and public nursing homes, both of which are under pressure across the country, in particular in more remote areas?

The figures provided by Nursing Homes Ireland suggest the average fee payable under the fair deal scheme since January 2022 for HSE nursing homes is €1,674 and for private and voluntary nursing homes the figure is €1,047. The Minister of State might be able to elaborate on that, and may have done so in her opening contribution. That is putting private nursing homes under pressure.

This year, above any other, energy costs and labour demands are putting pressure on nursing homes. It is a perfect storm. There have been closures and from what we hear there will be more. That is putting pressure on all other providers, public and private. The Minister of State is on top of the issues and I hope for continued Government support for this important sector.