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Research Programme – Taskforce on Staffing and Skill-Mix for Nursing

The population in Ireland is growing older; it is estimated that the proportion of people aged 65 years of age and older will grow from approximately 14% in 2020 to 18.5% of the population in 2031. While the majority of people aged over 65 years of age live independent and healthy lives, a proportion will require long term care both in residential and community settings. This increase in the need to provide enhanced residential and community care will require the recruitment and retention of healthcare staff, particularly nurses and healthcare assistants to work in both community and residential settings. What we do not know at present is how many nurses and healthcare assistants are required to safely staff these settings and the skills they require to provide care that is safe and of a high quality. This research will identify models that will determine how the number and skill-mix of nurses and HCAs working in these settings is calculated. These models, in partnership with the Department of Health, will be implemented and tested in a number of pilot sites. Following this testing recommendations will be made to the Department of Health on how to safely staff residential and community settings