State 'walking away from its responsibilities' to elderly in nursing homes, Dáil told

The 198 allegations of “suspected or confirmed abuse to a resident” were made in the Firstcare Beneavin Manor nursing home in Glasnevin between January 1, 2022, to June 5, 2025.

The State has been accused of "walking away from its responsibilities" to older people, which has allowed a "corporate takeover" of nursing home care.

It comes as almost 200 allegations of abuse to residents have been found by a new Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa) report at a nursing home at the centre of a recent RTÉ investigation.

The 198 allegations of “suspected or confirmed abuse to a resident” were made in the Firstcare Beneavin Manor nursing home in Glasnevin between January 1, 2022, to June 5, 2025.

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said the report revealed there is a "culture" of abuse and neglect, and this is only exacerbated by the fact that the agency does not have enough powers to ensure standards are met and those who fall short are fully penalised.

She told the Dáil that 20 years ago, 30% of nursing homes were in private hands, but this figure has now increased to 80%, which she claimed represents "the corporate takeover of nursing homes in care".

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She said: "So the State walks away from its responsibilities and the profit of wealthy companies are put above the care and the dignity of the very people who built this country."

Referring to the Glasnevin home, Ms McDonald said no action was taken "until RTÉ shows up".

What we witnessed on our TV screens was horrific, vulnerable elderly people, manhandled, neglected, disrespected, pushed down hallways, roughly, forced into chairs, all by the very people who are supposed to care for them. 

"Their families are absolutely devastated, and they are calling on the Government to act now."

Labour leader Ivana Bacik called for clarity on a timeline as to when new safeguarding laws will be introduced to protect older people in nursing homes.

She said she had met a family in a local café this week whose mother had been "severely, badly treated in a nursing home".

Ms Bacik said the family "pointed out to me that the café could be closed temporarily if food standards fell short... the nursing home cannot".

'Very disturbing'

Responding, Mr Martin said registration can be removed from nursing homes and this happened eight times last year.

The Taoiseach agreed that there were some "very, very disturbing clear facts" contained in the Hiqa report, in particular the fact that 61% of the particular homes highlighted are not adhering to fire regulations.

"Now to me, that's a red alarm, and there are powers to close," he told the Dáil.

Mr Martin added: "One of the most difficult decisions for any family to have to take is to place a loved one in a nursing home.

"It's a very, very difficult decision, and the least people can expect is that the dignity of your loved one will at all times, be respected and that your loved one will be looked after and cared for and would not be subjected to the abuse, neglect and absolutely unacceptable behaviour, as revealed in the RTÉ investigates programme."