Minister O’Donnell and Minister Harkin announce €2.4 million in funding for a new Nursing Homes Leadership and Management Education Initiative

Minister of State for Older People and Housing, Kieran O’Donnell T.D., and Minister of State for Further Education, Apprenticeship, Construction and Climate Skills, Marian Harkin T.D., have announced €2.4 million in funding to support approximately 550 senior nursing management staff in nursing homes to obtain a Postgraduate Certificate in

Residential Care Facility Management qualification. This new funding programme has been developed to strengthen management and governance across the nursing home sector and support compliance with regulations. The funding allocation will be provided over three years, with approximately 180 places funded each year, commencing in the academic year 2026/2027.

All nursing homes, including public, voluntary and private, will be invited to select one staff member to undertake this qualification over this period. The course will target key leadership personnel in nursing homes, such as the Person in Charge (PIC).

The Postgraduate Certificate in Residential Care Facility Management qualification was developed by the Royal College of Surgeons Ireland (RCSI) in collaboration with LHP Skillnet to further enable staff in senior management posts in nursing homes to implement effective governance.

This proposal serves as a follow-up to the funding programme put in place by the Department of Health in 2024 to support nursing home staff to undertake gerontological nursing education and will further enhance the level of care delivered to nursing home residents.

Minister O’Donnell said:

“This funding programme demonstrates the Government’s commitment to strengthening management and governance across the nursing home sector, which will improve the quality of care delivered to nursing home residents and will further enhance the expertise and capabilities of our already dedicated nursing home staff.

“Senior nursing management staff participating in this programme will further enhance and develop their ability to effectively lead, critically analyse, and implement effective governance in nursing homes, and I would encourage all nursing homes to avail of this programme.”

Minister Harkin said:

“It is positive to see Skillnet Ireland continuing to work with the Department of Health on this important initiative, delivered through the Leading Healthcare Providers (LHP) Skillnet. It highlights the vital role Skillnet Ireland plays within the skills ecosystem, working to deliver the targeted skills development needed by the private sector.”

The Programme will be managed by Leading Healthcare Providers (LHP) Skillnet for private nursing homes, and by the Office of Nursing and Midwifery Services Director (ONMSD) for public and voluntary nursing homes, on behalf of the Department of Health.