Nursing Homes Ireland (NHI) Concerns
According to Irish times, the body, Nursing Homes Ireland (NHI) warns that upcoming changes to the Irish Government's work permit system, particularly the increase in minimum salaries for foreign workers, will raise costs and potentially lead to closures of nursing homes.
NHI calls for increased funding for nursing home operators under the Fair Deal State subsidy scheme to offset the additional expenses associated with these changes. The work permit scheme expansion, aimed at addressing staff shortages, raised the minimum salary for healthcare assistants and home carers to €27,000 from January, with plans for it to reach €39,000 by January 2026. NHI's CEO, Tadhg Daly, highlights concerns that the increased costs may force some operators out of business and urges recognition of these additional costs in the Fair Deal budget to prevent further closures.
The nursing home sector, heavily reliant on overseas staff, faces challenges due to rising operating costs and increased minimum salaries. The industry calls for a comprehensive response to address the potential impact on nursing home providers and maintain operational viability.