Niamh Griffin: Report on nursing home closures and privatisation  echoes fears of families

ESRI said closure of small independent homes in rural areas means 40% of beds now provided by 14 large private operators

Yesterday's protest outside an HSE nursing home at Cherry Orchard Hospital, Dublin. Picture: Gareth Chaney

When the ESRI issued a report raising concerns about the closures of rural nursing homes and privatisation of the sector, it was echoing the fear of many families and smaller nursing homes.

The ESRI said the closure of small independently-owned homes in rural areas meant 40% of nursing home beds are now provided by 14 large private operators.