A close relative is in a nursing home. The Fair Deal scheme works fine for us regarding the accomodation fee, paying ~ €700 a week and the remaining ~ €300 comes from state pension and savings. Nursing homes vary greatly in the quality of facilities and activities. Ours is €40 per month, and covers indoor activities like bingo, music, singing, discussions, religious activities, games like indoor bowling etc. Any outings this summer would be extra as well. €40 is good value and the activities make a big difference. They are optional, but life is much better with them, otherwise it would be just tv in the day room or own room day and night. Hairdressing is extra as is physio and chiropodist. We cut the physio and chiropodist and do it ourselves. For €130 a month social you need to see exactly what this is for. I know in our situation we would not be able to afford that. Choose your list of nursing homes carefully for your loved one, we viewed good ones and ones we didn't like. There is some choice available but waiting lists exist. Our nursing home is good, its just a good bit away from family in Dublin 12. We are still on the waiting list for our best choice, but will only relocate to that particular one. Best choice for us means facilities/staff and a nice place for our relative in her native area. We are 6 months in the current place and expect at least another 6 months wait for a room in the top choice. Some of these homes have 1 year + waiting lists.
we don't have anything like that 20% admin charge.