Thousands of State-run nursing home beds face closure because of poor accommodation standards.

According to the Irish Times, the health watchdog HIQA is growing 'frustrated' with years of inaction within the Health Service Executive (HSE) on refurbishment, and is introducing a 'get tough' policy.

HIQA has proposed to refuse registration to two centres, while a further 10 may be barred from accepting new residents.

The HIQA deadline for nursing homes to meet acceptable standards of accommodation passed at the start of last month, and the watchdog is already taking action against centres it believes are falling short.

Under the rules, homes have to provide a minimum level of space per resident - and should not house more than two people in the same bedroom.

The Irish Times reports HIQA is 'getting tough' with centres and has issued proposals to refuse registration to two homes run by the HSE - and has proposed that 10 more could be barred from admitting new residents to homes or specific wards.

Meanwhile a further 36 homes will soon be faced with decisions.

The centres can prevent closures by setting out a clear timeline for improvement.

Professor Shaun O'Keeffe is a consultant geriatrician in Co Galway.

He told Newstalk Breakfast the HSE had plenty of warning about the deadline for improvements, and should have acted before now.