Press release
Minister Butler encourages nursing home providers to submit claims before Nursing Home Resident Safety Improvement Scheme closes
From Department of Health
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Health
Published on
Last updated on
With the aim of improving infection prevention and fire safety in private and voluntary nursing homes, up to €25,000 is 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).
Nursing homes which have carried out structural works covered under this scheme can claim the cost of these works if they were carried out from 1 January 2020 to 15 November 2024 subject to fulfilling the application criteria.
Minister for Mental Health and Older People Mary Butler said:
"I was really pleased to secure funding in Budget 2024 for this new €10 million Nursing Home Resident Safety Improvement Scheme and I urge all eligible nursing homes to apply. I am delighted to see that nursing homes in every county have so far benefitted from this scheme and, to date, payments totalling €5.4 million have been paid to 242 nursing homes. It is wonderful to note early indications of improved compliance levels for RSI beneficiaries. It is promising to note early indications of improved levels of compliance for both regulations targeted by the scheme.
“The scheme is designed to support private and voluntary nursing homes to improve infection prevention and fire safety and meet compliance with regulations. 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 with up to €25,000 available to each qualifying nursing home for eligible works.
“I advise any nursing home who has yet to apply to submit their applications. Alternatively, if a nursing home hasn’t availed of the full €25,000 available and has carried out eligible works, I encourage them to submit a further claim. All claims must be submitted for payment by November 15th 2024.
“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."
Scheme details including application forms are available on the Health Service Executive (HSE) and National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) websites.
The Department of Health oversee the scheme and report to Minister Butler on the operation of the scheme.
The HSE administer the scheme and the NTPF administer the application process and provide support and advice to the HSE.
Payments are made on a quarterly basis.
Applications will not be accepted after the closing date of 15 November 2024.