There are 450 voluntary and private nursing homes with approximately 18,000 beds with a further 10,000 beds in public homes. A number of proprietors of private nursing homes, in the larger urban areas, have exited the sector for a variety of reasons including the commercial value of their nursing home sites. This has led to a shortage of beds close to where older people have lived for most of their lives.

There are examples of older people being placed in nursing homes which are 50 or more miles from their family home. Many of these placements are made on an emergency basis because of the pressure to discharge older people from acute hospitals.

Despite the availability of many innovative home support schemes a percentage older people will need nursing home care. For some it will be a necessity while for others it will be a lifestyle choice as they seek the comfort of a nursing home or choose to reduce the burden of caring on family members.  

Increased life expectancy, improved prevention and treatment of disabilities, better housing conditions and increased home support schemes, including financial supports, have raised the age profile and level of frailty of those who now need care in a nursing home. The average age of nursing home residents is in the region of 82 years. 

Later in 2008 new quality standard for nursing homes will be approved by the Minister for Health and Children. New Statutory Regulations will be published and will come into force. The same regulations and standards will apply public and private nursing homes

Legislation will also be introduced to implement “The Fair Deal” which will provide for increased payment by the state towards nursing home care. Residents in public nursing homes will be subject to the same financial charges as those in private home.