Ireland needs over 1,000 new nursing home beds each year for the next 15 years

The ESRI has already projected the number of people living past 85 years of age is set to more than double by 2040. File photo: iStock

Between 15,000 and 20,000 additional nursing home beds will be needed by 2040 based on ESRI projections, the Nursing Homes Ireland conference will hear on Thursday.

The lower figure equates to an average of over 1,000 new beds every year for the next 15 years. This also assumes the number of nursing homes remains the same whether through new homes opening to replace any closures or all current homes remaining open.