Pádraig Ó Céidigh, who founded Aer Arann, plans to expand a nursing home he bought in Westmeath with €4 million of financing from Ulster Bank.

The Sancta Maria nursing home is in Kinnegad. The entrepreneur also owns Casla, a home-care service for senior citizens.

The Westmeath nursing home has planning permission to add another 26 bedrooms and the expansion is set to create 30 jobs.

“There is further opportunity for upgrading and expansion which will enhance the existing facilities and create additional capacity for the growing requirement in this area of nursing home care,” said Mr Ó Céidigh.