Sector Opportunity: Senior Living & Care in Ireland

Ireland’s care and senior living sector is changing fast and that means strong new opportunities for the commercial design sector. Demographic shifts are driving demand and new projects are setting higher standards for design and sustainability.

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The numbers are stark. Ireland’s population aged 65+ has grown more than 26% since 2016 and is projected to reach 1.5 million people by 2051, which will be a full quarter of the population. “Occupancy rates are at or above 90%. An estimated 45,000 additional nursing home beds are expected to be required to fulfil current projected demand, based on population changes alone, by 2031.1” While not all will require nursing care, many will need assisted living, residential care or purpose built housing that balances independence with support. “Forecast that demand for senior living accommodation close to 10,000 units per year will be needed just to meet evolving demographic profiles.”

The sector has faced real challenges in recent years, with rising costs, staff shortages and closure of smaller homes. Yet these pressures are also pushing innovation. Larger operators are consolidating, investors are backing senior living schemes whilst designers are being asked to rethink what safe, dignified and sustainable care environments can look like:

“The majority of these developments were built around 10-15 years ago and many of them are not considered to be fit for purpose.”

Recent projects across Ireland show a breadth of new approaches. The Retirement Village on Love Lane, in Charleville, Co. Cork is made up of nine universally accessible bungalows arranged around a landscaped courtyard. The design blends a realistic independence, e.g level access and wet rooms, with a grounding of community. The Sugarloaf Care Centre in Co. Wicklow takes a different tack with 119 beds across 5,600m², with large en-suite rooms, coffee docks as well as generous outdoor courtyards. It’s a demonstration that scale can still be a comfortable and social space. Another example, highlighting innovation in construction, is the Milltown Assisted Living Scheme. It combines apartments and bungalows built with low energy insulated concrete form systems, creating sustainable, cost-efficient homes designed for long term comfort.

Quote from developer – look into the Irish Times article “Irish nursing homes are ‘at a critical juncture. Something needs to be done’. Henson said:

“I feel we are at a critical juncture. Something needs to be done to provide extra capacity. And while it’s fantastic to see the new public beds coming on stream, it’s ultimately going to be up to the private sector to deliver.”

These projects highlight a few clear trends in senior living design. Community at the core is a key component to successful design, be it through social dayrooms or courtyard bungalows, the focus is connection. Designing for dignity is also a clear trend. The larger projects increasingly offer en-suite privacy, outdoor areas and amenities that bring life beyond the clinical. Sustainability and efficiency as always are a big focus. Low energy construction and adaptable layouts are becoming mainstream, that reduce running costs and improve quality of life.

Why this matters for the industry. The shift isn’t just a social imperative, it is a commercial one. Designers are needed to create spaces that are safe and uplifting. Operators and owners must find models that balance compliance with community. For suppliers, from furniture, lighting, materials and technology, there is a growing market as Ireland reimagines what care looks like.

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Our event is designed for professionals working in hospitality, care, workplace, and cruise interiors. It’s your opportunity to meet international suppliers, discover innovative products, and connect with industry peers.

Join us at Design Insider Live in Dublin, 13th November 2025, The Alex, Dublin FREE REGISTRATION HERE