INMO raises concerns as Killarney nursing home remains closed past opening date

It is one of seven announced in 2022 to be built by a joint venture company, Equisisk, for the HSE with 530 beds by 2024. None are open

Fri, 03 Apr, 2026 - 11:13

Niamh Griffin

A state-of-the-art nursing home in Killarney, which was expected to open by the end of March, remains shuttered although the HSE has now applied to Hiqa for registration.

It comes as the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation has raised concerns about a lack of information for its members around recruitment and staffing for the nursing home.

This nursing home is one of seven announced in 2022 to be built by a joint venture company, Equisisk, for the HSE with 530 beds by 2024. None are open.

HSE insists three new nursing homes in Cork and Kerry will open this year after two-year delay

Just over 100 residents will transfer from Killarney Community Hospital or St Columbanus. The new home will have 130 beds.

INMO industrial relations executive, Kathryn Courtney, said nurses are “increasingly frustrated” at the lack of information.

The move is welcomed by staff in the older homes, but she cautioned: "For a building to be useful, it must be staffed and staffed safely.

“INMO members have been left in the dark regarding the proposed opening date and engagement on staffing, which is necessary and must be completed prior to the move.”

She called for a date to be agreed for transferring residents from the older home.

HSE response

A spokeswoman for HSE South West said: "The application for registration of the Killarney community nursing home was submitted this week, March 31st, and we thank Hiqa for their commitment to progressing the registration progress as soon as possible."

The new home will open on a phased basis. “We expect this process to start in a matter of weeks,” she said.

The HSE said recruitment campaigns are “now underway” and that “further engagement” is being arranged with health unions locally.

“Staff at St Columbanus and the district hospital were updated by a senior manager on timelines and project timelines at the start of last month,” she said.