Future-Proofing Care: EDC’s Contribution to Ireland’s Nursing Home Network

At EDC, we’ve always believed that engineering is about more than systems and structures, it’s about people. Nowhere is that more evident than in our ongoing work to help shape environments that support the elderly population throughout Ireland.

So far in 2025, we’ve been proud to support the delivery of over 650 beds across a network of modern nursing home facilities throughout Ireland. These state-of-the-art developments are designed to provide long-term residential care for elderly individuals, with a particular focus on those with high dependency needs.

From Tralee to North County Dublin, EDC’s expertise is playing a vital role in Ireland’s wider strategy to modernise and expand healthcare services. With an aging population and increasing demand for high-quality elder care, these projects are more than infrastructure, they’re part of a national commitment to wellbeing and long-term care.

Each facility presents unique design requirements. These buildings must be clinically functional, energy efficient, safe, adaptable and compliant to HIQA standards, all while creating a homely and welcoming atmosphere for residents and staff. That’s where our multidisciplinary approach comes in. From low carbon heating systems to high efficiency LED lighting, our teams are focused on delivering smart, sustainable solutions that serve real people, every day.

What sets these projects apart is their attention to the lived experience of residents. Engineering decisions have a direct impact on everything from air quality and temperature control to lighting and acoustics and ultimately, on how comfortable and supported someone feels in their daily life. Our engineers understand this responsibility, and it shapes everything we do.

As some of these projects draw to a close and some continue to strongly progress, we look forward to sharing more about our role in bringing them to life, and how engineering, when done with care, can improve quality of life for generations to come.

Healthcare projects demand precision, not just in design and delivery, but in cost control and risk mitigation. With tight budgets and little margin for error, cost certainty is essential. At EDC, our specialist Cost and Risk Management Team brings deep sector knowledge to ensure that healthcare clients stay on budget without compromising on quality or performance.

One of our key offerings is the Early MEP Risk Audit (EMRA). A proactive, standalone service designed to flag potential risks before they impact delivery. This early-stage audit helps uncover design gaps, overly complex systems, or areas of misalignment between budget and specification. By identifying these issues early, EMRA supports informed decision-making, reduces uncertainty, and strengthens confidence in project outcomes.

More than just a checklist, EMRA acts as an early warning system, offering critical insights that help prevent cost overruns, design inefficiencies, and programme delays. It’s a strategic safeguard that protects both the integrity of the design and the success of the overall project. The effectiveness of this system is built from our vast experience and learnings which are continuously fed back into current projects.