The Shannonside Region is being forgotten when it comes to the provision of new and expanded nursing home facilities. That is the view of Sligo-Leitrim TD Marian Harkin, who is calling for more supports for rural care centres struggling to stay open. In a press statement, the TD highlighted that counties like Leitrim, Roscommon, Sligo Donegal and Mayo have the oldest population nationwide, but lack sufficient nursing home spaces.
Up to 86 long-term care beds have been lost between February 2020 to 2022 due to the closure of private voluntary care homes across the region. Speaking on Let's Talk, Deputy Marian Harkin called for more government intervention to prevent further closures: