BDO Ireland and Nursing Homes Ireland are pleased to present the second Biannual Pulse Survey Report, supported by Bank of Ireland. Published amidst increased budget allocations for the Fair Deal Scheme and ESRI projections indicating rising demand and capacity needs for older persons’ care, this report provides timely sector-specific insights. The report reveals key insights into the sector, including ongoing recruitment challenges and pay-related cost pressures faced by nursing homes as they strive to maintain high-quality care to residents with increasingly complex care needs.
We are pleased to present the December 2025 edition of the Nursing Homes Ireland and BDO Private and Voluntary Nursing Home Biannual Pulse Survey. This report provides an important snapshot of the operational pressures and emerging trends shaping nursing home care across Ireland at the close of the year. The findings point to continued high occupancy, increasing care complexity and persistent challenges in staffing and recruitment, all of which place significant strain on care providers’ ability to meet growing needs. Financial pressures also remain a key concern, with rising costs and constrained funding impacting sustainability. The information and trends reported here can support Members in benchmarking their own homes, informing local planning and identifying areas for improvement. I want to thank all Members who took the time to participate in this survey. Your contribution ensures that our advocacy remains grounded in accurate, timely evidence. NHI will use these insights to continue to press for the reforms, investment and support required to ensure high-quality, person-centred care for residents now and into the future.
Bank of Ireland is proud to continue supporting the nursing home sector, welcoming this latest report's timely insights as demand for care intensifies. Occupancy rates are exceptionally high at 94.9%, underscoring the vital role nursing homes play in Ireland healthcare system. However, growing resident complexity and increased care hours are straining providers' ability to maintain person-centred, high-quality care. Staff turnover across nursing homes has risen to 36%, with ongoing reliance on overseas recruitment highlighting the urgent need to develop sustainable career pathways and ensure care roles are properly recognised and remunerated. While the premises-upgrade scheme is positive, many smaller and older homes face significant capital challenges, especially regarding multi-occupancy rooms and lack of ensuite facilities. Despite these pressures, nursing home operators and staff continue to demonstrate resilience and professionalism, Bank of Ireland recognises both the existing pressures and opportunities within the sector, and remains committed to working closely with our nursing home partners to support both staffing infrastructure and service development. This collaborative way of working can ensure that these homes will continue to deliver sage, compassionate, and high-quality care for residents.
