Press Release: Friday 3 October 2025
Minister O’Donnell encourages nursing home providers to submit claims before the Nursing Home Residential Premises Upgrade Scheme closes for applications
- Up to €25,000 is available to each qualifying nursing home for eligible works under the scheme
- Claims can be made for eligible works carried out between 1 January 2024 and 14 November 2025.
The Minister of State for Older People and Housing, Kieran O’Donnell reminds nursing home providers that the Nursing Home RPU Scheme will accept applications until 14 November 2025 with the final round of payments due to issue in December.
With the aim of improving the premises of private and voluntary nursing homes to meet the needs of residents, up to €25,000 is 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).
Eligible nursing homes may claim costs for structural works undertaken under the scheme that have been completed between 1 January 2024 and 31 December 2024, or between 1 January 2025 and 14 November 2025.
Minister O’Donnell said:
“The €10 million Nursing Home Residential Premises Upgrade Scheme is designed to support private and voluntary nursing homes in upgrading their premises and achieving regulatory compliance, and I urge all eligible nursing homes to apply. I am pleased to see that nursing home across Ireland have benefitted from this scheme and already, this year, payments totalling €5.95 million have been paid to 242 nursing homes.
“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 that has not yet applied to submit their applications. Alternatively, if a nursing home hasn’t availed of the full €25,000 available and has already carried out eligible works under this scheme, I encourage them to submit a further claim. All claims must be submitted for payment by 14th November 2025.
“At all times, my focus is on the safety, care 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 the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) websites.