Cork nursing homes invited to apply for new €10m fund

Private and voluntary nursing homes across Cork are being invited to apply for funding under the new €10m Nursing Home Residential Premises Upgrade (RPU) scheme.

The Minister of State for Older People and Housing, Kieran O’Donnell announced the opening of the scheme for applications yesterday.

It aims to support private and voluntary care facilities by improving their premises to meet the needs of residents and to comply with regulations.

Grants of up to €25,000 will be made available to each qualifying nursing home.

Eligible nursing homes may claim for works carried out this year between January 1 and November 14 and also for works previously undertaken last year, between January 1 and December 31, that meet the scheme criteria.

“Following the success of last year’s Nursing Home Resident Safety Improvement Scheme, I am pleased to announce that funding was secured in Budget 2025 for this new €10 million Nursing Home RPU scheme, and I urge all eligible nursing homes to apply,” Mr O’Donnell said.

“I am aware that carrying out works to meet compliance can prove costly for nursing homes, especially for smaller, voluntary and older nursing homes.

“The aim of this scheme is to alleviate some of the financial pressures this may cause.

“At all times, my focus is on the safety and wellbeing of residents. 

“It is important that older people and their families are reassured that our long-term residential care facilities meet the highest possible standards.”

Cork man Tadhg Daly, CEO of Nursing Homes Ireland, welcomed the scheme but emphasised the need for sustained support: “Such supports for nursing homes are welcomed, but we must ensure that these supports are followed by Government action to ensure that nursing home care is sustainable and equitable for all, now and into the future. 

“This fund is a contribution to the significant costs of providing high-quality nursing home care and is welcome acknowledgement of the funding challenges of a sustainable nursing home care sector.

“One immediate priority, which we have relayed to the Minister, is the publication of the Fair Deal pricing review within the first 100 days of the Government’s formation. 

“One-off supports, while welcome, do not address the underlying issue, and we remain committed to working with Ministers MacNeill and O’Donnell to address the challenges of ensuring sustainable high-quality care in communities throughout Ireland.”

The closing date for applications to the Nursing Home RPU scheme is set for November 14.