550. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Health if she will confirm whether the residential environment enhancement scheme will be extended beyond 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54578/26]

In April this year, I announced the new €10 million Nursing Home Resident Environment Enhancement (REE) Scheme. The REE Scheme aims to support private and voluntary nursing homes to carry out structural and other improvement works that enhance the day-to-day living environment for residents.

The REE Scheme provides targeted funding for structural/other works carried out to specifically enhance the resident environment, safety and facilities in nursing homes in compliance with Regulation 17 (Premises) as it applies to internal and external communal spaces for residents, their bedrooms/bathrooms, and equipment, furniture and furnishings for use by residents.

This REE Scheme is open to all operational voluntary and private nursing homes registered with the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) and the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) as of 1 January 2026, and in receipt of payment under the National Nursing Homes Support Scheme (NHSS) for the provision of long-term residential care services. Up to €25,000 is available to each qualifying nursing home. Eligible nursing homes may claim for works carried out between 1 January 2025 and 20 November 2026 that meet the scheme criteria.

The Scheme opened for applications on the 16th April 2026 and will close on the 20th November 2026.

The Nursing Home Resident Environment Enhancement Scheme is a time-limited measure for 2026.