The Chief Executive of Nursing Homes Ireland says he's not surprised by the forthcoming closure of a local care facility.
Costello's Nursing Home in Ballyleague announced on Thursday it would be shutting its doors in January due to rising output costs.
NHI's Tadgh Daly says it's the ninth nursing home to close in the last 18 months with a lack of Government funding a major problem for family run facilities.
The CEO of the sector's representative body believes the state must start listening to care providers:
"Saddened obviously by the announcement, my thoughts are with the residents and families. They've (Costellos) had very positive Hiqa reports, that's replicated across the sector.
We must remind ourselves that the nursing home is a big local employer, and it contributes to the local economy, so this is bad news on so many fronts.
This is a further wake-up call but unfortunately, it is too late for Costello's care centre and the residents and staff and the staff who work there."
