Politician(s) lobbied: Kieran O'Donnell (Minister of State), Department of Health
Intent: To highlight to the Minister that, while the introduction of MARS increases is welcomed as a long-term measure, it will have an immediate and significant impact on nursing homes, many of which will struggle to absorb the increased costs in the short term.
Methods: Meeting
Details by Method
Method not specified
Met with the Minister of Older Persons on 15/04/2026 along with other nursing home networks to discuss the impact of MARS work permit increase thresholds as of March 2026 and the implication this will have on family owned and operated nursing homes.
Politician(s) lobbied: Kieran O'Donnell (Minister of State), Department of Health
Intent: To highlight to the Minister that, while the introduction of MARS increases is welcomed as a long-term measure, it will have an immediate and significant impact on nursing homes, many of which will struggle to absorb the increased costs in the short term.
Methods: Meeting
Details by Method
Method not specified
Met with the Minister of Older Persons on 10/02/2026 along with other nursing home networks to discuss the impact of MARS work permit increase thresholds as of March 2026 and the implication this will have on family owned and operated nursing homes.
Politician(s) lobbied: Gareth Clerkin (Member), Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment
Intent: To highlight to the DETE that, while the introduction of MARS increases is welcomed as a long-term measure, it will have an immediate and significant impact on nursing homes, many of which will struggle to absorb the increased costs in the short term.
Methods: Meeting
Details by Method
Method not specified
Met with the DETE on 15/01/2026 along with other nursing home networks to discuss the impact of MARS work permit increase thresholds as of March 2026 and the implication this will have on family owned and operated nursing homes.
Politician(s) lobbied: Sean Flood (Director Finance Directorate), Department of Health; Caitriona Power (Director Finance Directorate), Department of Health; Dermot Edwards (Ordinary Member), Department of Health; Fiona Brady (CEO), Department of Health; Jennifer Sheppard (Director Finance Directorate), Department of Health
Intent: That the widening gap between private nursing homes and HSE be addressed to meet challenges which includes significant cost increases.
Methods: Meeting
Details by Method
Method not specified
Meeting with the NTPF on 20/11/2025 in which Céile Care provided information on current sector challenges: workforce and funding
Method not specified
recruitment and turnover
Method not specified
auto-enrolment & living wage.
Politician(s) lobbied: Trevor Moore (Ordinary Member), Department of Health; Niamh O'Malley (Ordinary Member), Department of Health
Intent: Though we fully support these changes, Ceile Care wished to convey the serious implication these changes will have on our member nursing homes if costs continue to rise whilst not being supplemented.
Methods: Meeting
Details by Method
Method not specified
Meeting with the DOH officers in which we outlined in detail the significant staffing challenges being experienced across many homes
Method not specified
and the ongoing impact that the 50:50 rule continues to have on recruitment and operational stability. We also held a detailed discussion on the recent MAR threshold increases
Method not specified
which significantly raise the cost base for nursing homes given the significant reliance on employees requiring work permits.
Politician(s) lobbied: Kieran O'Donnell (Minister of State), Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
Intent: We raised that support was still needed for member nursing homes experiencing covid outbreaks, and that staff should be entitled to sick pay similar to public sector workers.
Methods: Letter
Details by Method
Method not specified
Letter to Minister re IPC and covid outbreak management
Politician(s) lobbied: Kieran O'Donnell (Minister of State), Department of Health
Intent: While Céile Care is a network of individually owned, family-run nursing homes, we acknowledged the issues highlighted and are committed to taking away valuable learnings from the programme
Methods: Meeting
Details by Method
Method not specified
Minister O'Donnell visit in June 2025 post the RTE programme – Céile Care was invited to meet with the Minister following the recent RTÉ programme concerning Emeis group homes. While Céile Care is a network of individually owned
Method not specified
family-run nursing homes
Method not specified
we acknowledged the issues highlighted and are committed to taking away valuable learnings from the programme
Politician(s) lobbied: Sean Forsyth (Ordinary Member), Department of Health; Stephen Price (Ordinary Member), Department of Health; Shauna Lindsay (Ordinary Member), Department of Health
Intent: Ceile Care and Curragh Lawn NH aimed to highlight the broad range of resident supports provided, including specialist nurse-led care. They conveyed appreciation for RSI scheme funding but noted renovation costs exceed contributions. They also shared ongoing challenges in recruiting and retaining staff in nursing homes, where support is most urgently needed
Methods: Meeting
Details by Method
Method not specified
Principal Officers Sean Forsyth
Method not specified
Stephen Price and Shauna Lindsey from the Department of Health visited Curragh Lawn Nursing Home
Method not specified
a member nursing home in Kildare
Method not specified
on Thursday 1st May. The home welcomed the Department’s representatives and presented its quality of care centred around their valued residents.
Politician(s) lobbied: Niamh O'Malley (Ordinary Member), Department of Health; Sean Forsyth (Ordinary Member), Department of Health; Trevor Moore (Ordinary Member), Department of Health
Intent: Ceile Care and Lexington House aimed to highlight the broad range of resident supports provided, including specialist nurse-led care. They conveyed appreciation for RSI scheme funding but noted renovation costs exceed contributions. They also shared ongoing challenges in recruiting and retaining staff in nursing homes, where support is most urgently needed
Methods: Meeting
Details by Method
Method not specified
Principal Officers from the Department of Health visited Lexington House Nursing Home
Method not specified
a member nursing home in Dublin
Method not specified
on Thursday 22nd May. The home welcomed the Department’s representatives and showcased its care offerings which included dementia support for residents
Politician(s) lobbied: Neil Kavanagh (Ordinary Member), Department of Health; Niamh O'Malley (Ordinary Member), Department of Health; Amy Bell (Ordinary Member), Department of Health
Intent: Ceile Care and Tara Care Centre aimed to highlight the broad range of resident supports provided, including specialist nurse-led care. They conveyed appreciation for RSI scheme funding but noted renovation costs exceed contributions. They also shared ongoing challenges in recruiting and retaining staff in nursing homes, where support is most urgently needed
Methods: Meeting
Details by Method
Method not specified
Principal Officers from the Department of Health visited Tara Care Centre
Method not specified
a member nursing home in Bray
Method not specified
on Thursday 24 April. The home welcomed the Department’s representatives and showcased its care offerings
Method not specified
with a focus on dementia-specific support for residents
