Private care must answer hard questions

A damning RTÉ investigation has exposed serious care failings at two nursing homes operated by Emeis Ireland, the country’s largest private provider. Undercover researchers documented repeated neglect, staff shortages, and systemic breaches of resident dignity and safety at The Residence Portlaoise and Beneavin Manor in Dublin—homes that charge over €1,200 per week under the Fair Deal scheme.

Footage reveals older adults left unattended, moved unsafely, and denied access to essential equipment and care—failures described by leading geriatricians as institutional abuse. Staff were pressured to conceal poor practices from visitors, with resource shortages and inadequate oversight compounding the crisis.

Emeis has apologised and pledged a full review of staffing, supply chains, and oversight. But for private healthcare leaders, the takeaway is stark: reputational risk, regulatory scrutiny, and ethical obligations are colliding. This isn’t just about one provider—it’s a wake-up call for governance across the sector.

Read the full investigation and what it means for your business