Nursing homes in the North East providing vital employment

Fine Gael Louth TD and member of the Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children, Peter Fitzpatrick this week met with Fintan Farrelly, Regional Chairman of Nursing Homes Ireland (NHI) to discuss the challenges facing the sector.

“In the North East region of Louth, Cavan, Monaghan, Meath and Dublin North, there are 35 private and voluntary nursing homes, providing care to 1,680 people and directly supporting over 2,000 jobs. Nursing homes carry out an essential role by caring for our elderly and they positively impact on the local economy by creating jobs.

“After speaking with Fintan Farrelly of NHI, it is clear that while there is huge potential for growth in this area, there are also significant challenges to be addressed.

“The CSO forecast that by 2021, only seven years from now, the number of people aged 85 and over will increase by 46%. And by 2021, it is estimated that an additional 8,000 beds will be needed.

“With almost a quarter of elderly people over 85 now calling a nursing home, ‘home’, it is clear that a cohesive national plan is necessary and the input of key stakeholders such as NHI is invaluable.

“Some of the main issues facing the elderly care sector include the fees charged for care, specifically the operation of the ‘Fair Deal’ budget and concerns of groups like Age Action Ireland that funding allocated to community support may negatively impact on the sickest of older people.

“I was pleased, in my meeting with NHI, to learn that given the significant growth in requirement for nursing home care, potential exists to create 10,000 sustainable jobs across the country.

“I recognise that this is an extremely important sector; it is essential that we provide adequate care and comfort for our older people, and that we nourish an area with such huge potential to provide employment in local communities.

“Nursing home care is an issue that will get increased attention in the coming months and years. I intend to approach the Department of Health on behalf of nursing homes in Louth to ensure that the Government is engaging and that a plan is in place.”