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	A report being published today will highlight a fall in the number of nursing homes across the country.</p>
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	The number of homes has dropped 4% in the last five years, meaning there is now one private nursing home bed for every 20.23 people over the age of 65.</p>
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	Industry group Nursing Homes Ireland is voicing concern at the trend, considering Ireland&#39;s aging population, and CEO Tadhg Daly said something needs to be done.</p>
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	&quot;What you have at the moment through the Fair Deal scheme is a monopoly of purchasing through the state, and that&#39;s driving down the rate it&#39;s paying to nursing home providers,&quot; he said.</p>
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	&quot;On the one hand, you have the demographics pointing to a growing demand, and a fairly strong fundamentals, on the other hand you have the state failing to recognised the true cost of care.</p>
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	&quot;This is acting as a strong disincentive to the investment required.&quot;</p>
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	<a href="http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/nursing-homes-close-despite-ageing-population-684375.html">http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/nursing-homes-close-despite-ageing-population-684375.html</a></p>
