Labour Party Urges for Immediate End on Corporate-Run Nursing Homes in Ireland Amid Care Standard Concerns
Dublin: The Labour Party has called for an immediate end to the involvement of large corporate entities in Ireland’s nursing home sector, citing serious concerns over care standards and profit-driven operations. The move comes in response to recent revelations by RTÉ that exposed significant shortcomings in the management of several facilities.
Labour is urging the government to take swift and decisive action, specifically demanding the immediate state intervention in the 27 nursing homes currently operated by Emeis Ireland, one of the country’s largest private care providers. The party argues that waiting for the findings of the HIQA review is not a viable option, and plans to introduce a Dáil motion on Wednesday to address the issue directly.
Corporate Control and Care Concerns
Highlighting the rapid growth of private ownership in the sector, Labour health spokesperson Deputy Marie Sherlock noted that while only 30% of nursing homes were privately owned two decades ago, that figure has now risen to over 50%. “Operators like Emeis Ireland are prioritising profit margins over the well-being of vulnerable residents. This is unacceptable,” she said.
Sherlock called for the state to immediately assume operational control of Emeis facilities, similar to the direct interventions carried out by the HSE during the COVID-19 pandemic. She also expressed limited confidence in HIQA’s current oversight capacity, stressing the need for stronger regulatory enforcement.
Reforming the Fair Deal Scheme
Labour is also proposing a comprehensive overhaul of the Fair Deal funding model, which supports long-term residential care. Among its key recommendations are:
- Ending individual negotiations between the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) and providers.
- Introducing standardised service-level agreements for all care providers.
- Ring-fencing funding specifically for labour costs.
- Enacting new legislation to regulate ownership structures and establish mandatory staffing levels and fair wage standards across the sector.
Labour maintains that trust in Ireland’s nursing home system has been deeply eroded and can only be restored through immediate, systemic reform. “Residents must be cared for with dignity, respect, and safety,” said Sherlock. “It is the government’s responsibility to ensure HIQA functions effectively and to implement critical reforms before the summer.”
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