Cork and Kerry nursing homes have highest occupancy

Private nursing homes in Cork and Kerry recorded the highest occupancy rate in the country last year, new figures show.

The average bed occupancy rate in the South rose from around 86% in 2009 to 96% last year, so homes in the area were, effectively, at capacity.

According to a report by Nursing Homes Ireland (NHI), the number of homes has decreased by 4% in the last five years. It shows there is currently just one private nursing home bed for every 20.23 persons aged 65 and over in Ireland.