The Minister of State for Mental Health and Older People says she is very conscious of the small family-run nursing homes and voluntary nursing homes that are dealing with cost of living increases.
Waterford Deputy Mary Butler was responding to a call from nursing home operators around the country for more funding to help tackle rising costs.
17 nursing homes have closed this year.
Nursing Homes Ireland Chief Executive, Tadgh Daly says they aren't getting enough money to meet rising costs.
He said they've seen costs rise by over 35% over the last few years, whereas the weekly fee is rising by something like 11%.
He said many more nursing homes are under the same threat of closure.
Deputy Mary Butler said she wants to try and find a way for homes to stay in the market.
Speaking to WLR's Deise Today she said she has asked the HSE to work with nursing homes who have served to notice to de-register to see if there is anything that can be done to help them to stay in the market.
She said she does accept that it is very challenging time for nursing homes at the moment.
She said she acknowledges costs per care in the HSE are higher.
She explained the reason is that "If a person leaves a nursing home and they have to go to an acute hospital, if the nursing home can't take that person back because their care needs are so complex the HSE will step in."
Minister Butler also said she has secured "40 million euro extra for next year for the fair deals schemes, so there will be an uplift going forward."
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