Minister for Mental Health and Older People announces €10 million of additional supports for private and voluntary nursing homes
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From: Department of Health
- Published on: 3 February 2024
- Last updated on: 2 February 2024
- new €10 million Nursing Home Resident Safety Improvement Scheme (RSI) will assist nursing homes in improving infection prevention and fire safety and help meet compliance with regulations
- RSI Scheme now open for applications – closing date 15 November 2024
- up to €25,000 will be available to each qualifying nursing home for structural works under scheme
- new scheme opened 1 January 2024, and eligible claims can be backdated to 1 January 2020
The Minister for Mental Health and Older People Mary Butler has opened the Nursing Home Resident Safety Improvement (RSI) Scheme for applications. The scheme aims to support private and voluntary nursing homes to improve infection prevention and fire safety.
Up to €25,000 will be available to each qualifying nursing home for structural works to improve compliance with Regulation 27 (Protection against infection) and/or Regulation 28 (Fire precautions) of S.I. No. 415/2013, Health Act 2007 (Care and Welfare of Residents in Designated Centres for Older People) Regulations 2013 (as amended).
The scheme commenced on 1 January 2024 and the closing date for applications is 15 November 2024.
Nursing homes can claim costs for previously undertaken works if they were carried out between 1 January 2020 and 1 January 2024 and meet the scheme criteria.
Minister Butler said:
"I was really pleased to secure funding in Budget 2024 for this new €10 million Resident Safety Improvement Scheme and I urge all eligible nursing homes to apply. The scheme is designed to support private and voluntary nursing homes to meet compliance with regulations and improve infection prevention and fire safety.
"I am aware that carrying out works to meet compliance can prove costly for some nursing homes, especially for smaller, voluntary and older nursing homes. The aim of this new scheme is to alleviate some of the financial pressures this may cause with up to €25,000 available to each qualifying nursing home for eligible works.
"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."
Notes
The Department of Health will provide oversight of the scheme and report to Minister Butler on the operation of the scheme.
The Health Service Executive (HSE) will administer the scheme and the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) will administer the application process and provide support and advice to the HSE.
Payments will be made on a quarterly basis.