Leo Varadkar has dismissed concerns that the country’s elderly could be left in the lurch as more and more nursing homes convert to refugee accommodation centres.
The Taoiseach acknowledged that nursing homes are closing for this purpose, but he said that bed numbers in nursing homes could be kept steady even if nursing home owners decide to shift their business model towards providing refugee shelter.
Mr Varadkar was speaking after junior health minister with special responsibility for the elderly, Mary Butler, confirmed that she had received a report on the issue, and that the Government has given the green light to the business transfers, lifting a restriction that was in place.
