Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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Question 461: To ask the Minister for Health if he will review a matter (details supplied) in County Kerry regarding Valentia community hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28264/11]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Valentia Community Hospital is not a public facility, it is a voluntary facility which has a service level agreement with the HSE under section 39 of the Health Act 2009. The legislation underpinning the Nursing Homes Support Scheme requires all private nursing homes and voluntary nursing homes which previously received funding under Section 39 of the Health Act 2004 to negotiate and agree a price for the cost of care with the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) should they wish to participate in the scheme. This is a necessary feature of the scheme due to the commitment by the State to meet the full balance of the cost of care over and above a person's contribution.

The NTPF has statutory responsibility for the negotiation of prices with private and voluntary nursing homes. The NTPF is independent in the performance of this function and, in carrying it out, it must ensure value for money for both the individual and the State. The NTPF negotiates with each nursing home individually and may examine the records and accounts of nursing homes as part of the process. This method of negotiation is necessary in order to ensure that the State obtains the best value for each individual in a nursing home and to comply with competition law.

This Government is committed to ensuring the health and safety of residents in nursing homes, whether they are publicly, privately or indeed voluntary run as in the case of Valentia Community Hospital. In order to ensure this, it is vital that we have effective mechanisms in place to maintain and enhance public confidence in the delivery of quality services. The Health Act, 2007 provides a regime designed to protect residents through an independent inspection and registration system.

On 1 July 2009 Statutory responsibility was given to the Chief Inspector of Social Services, part of the Health Information and Quality Authority to carry out this function. This responsibility is underpinned by a comprehensive regulatory framework and National Quality Standards for Residential Care Settings for Older People in Ireland. All nursing homes are subject to the same core standards and regulations in relation to quality and safety. The HSE is continuing to engage with the Board of Management of the facility to support the process of decision making with regard to the future of the service.