Jobs boost with nursing home expansion plan

A substantial expansion of a nursing home in Brideswell recently approved by planners in Roscommon, is expected to create 20 new jobs.

TBNH Ltd, which operates Tearmainn Bhríde Nursing Home in the village, has got the green light to press ahead with a 44-bed extension of the nursing home, incorporating 42 single en-suite rooms and two double rooms for 46 residents.

In addition, the operators, who already employ 35 people, will refurbish the existing home by reducing the capacity from the current 29 to 15.

Two dining rooms, a living room, an activity room a laundry area, a staff area, a kitchen, utility room and toilets also form part of the project in the nursing home, which has been operating in Brideswell village since 1997.

TBNH Ltd said the home is committed to increasing the quality of life for its residents, and it's, for this reason, it has decided to embark on a refurbishment and extension programme in a bid to “futureproof” the home and protect the livelihood of its employees.

It revealed that the expansion of the nursing home will see the number of employees climb from 35 to 55.

“As the home is 24 years old, it is in need of modernisation and refurbishment in order to continue to comply with ongoing HIQA requirements. It is likely that future HIQA requirements will reduce the capacity of the home which will make it uneconomical to continue to operate,” the planning documents lodged in support of the expansion plan last July added.

The proposal was paused for a time after the council sought further information on the water source, car parking and traffic movements last September, data that was provided by the applicant in January allowing a final verdict to be announced.

Roscommon County Council finally approved the plans on February 24 last, subject to compliance with 16 separate planning conditions, including the payment of €49, 340 in Development Contributions to the local authority, and the submission of a landscaping plan, and a construction and traffic management plan prior to work starting.