Minister for Mental Health and Older People encourages nursing home providers to submit claims before the Nursing Home Resident Safety Improvement (RSI) Scheme closes for applications on 15 November 2024
- €10 million Nursing Home Resident Safety Improvement Scheme (RSI) is assisting nursing homes to improve regulatory compliance with infection prevention and fire safety
- 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 2020 to 15 November 2024.
With the aim of improving infection prevention and fire safety in private and voluntary nursing homes, up to €25,000 is available to each qualifying nursing home for structural works to improve compliance with Regulation 27 (Protection against infection) and/or Regulation 28 (Fire precautions) 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 which have carried out structural works covered under this scheme can claim the cost of these works if they were carried out from 1 January 2020 to the 15 of November 2024 subject to fulfilling the application criteria. Applications will not be accepted after this date, and this scheme will not be extended.
Minister Butler, said:
“I was really pleased to secure funding in Budget 2024 for this new €10 million Nursing Home Resident Safety Improvement Scheme and I urge all eligible nursing homes to apply. I am delighted to see that nursing homes in every county have so far benefitted from this scheme and, to-date, payments totalling €6.5 million have been paid to 284 nursing homes.
“The scheme is designed to support private and voluntary nursing homes to improve infection prevention and fire safety 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.
“I advise any nursing home who have yet to apply to submit their applications. Alternatively, if a nursing home hasn’t availed of the full €25,000 available and has carried out eligible works, I encourage them to submit a further claim.
“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.
