Irish Minister of State for Older People and Housing, Kieran O’Donnell, has launched the Nursing Home Residential Premises Upgrade (RPU) Scheme which aims to support private and voluntary nursing homes to improve premises to better meet the needs of residents.

Up to €25,000 will be available to each qualifying nursing home for structural works to improve compliance with Regulation 17 (Premises) 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 may claim for works carried out this year between 1 January and 14 November and also for works previously undertaken during 2024, between 1 January 2024 and 31 December 2024, that meet the scheme criteria.

O’Donnell said: “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 €10m Nursing Home Residential Premises Upgrade Scheme and I urge all eligible nursing homes to apply.

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

“The scheme is designed to support private and voluntary nursing homes to improve their nursing home premises 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.

“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 HSE and NTPF websites.