Mr. Jim Breslin:

Yes, and I believe 18% was the figure last year. Zeroing in on non-compliance is really important. This is a standards-based approach and it is intended to have an improvement focus. Every time an inspection is done, the nursing home has to come up with an action plan on how to address the findings and improve. That does not mean that because a nursing home falls down in respect of one standard, HIQA believes it is unsafe for it to continue in operation. If HIQA believes that, it has the power to go to the courts to seek the deregistration of the home.

I absolutely agree with the Deputy that the infection-control standard in nursing homes, both public and private, is really important. The infectivity of Covid-19 has only emphasised this further. There is an all out focus on trying to ensure the standard is fully met, and the supports that are being put in place, including the multidisciplinary Covid-19 response team and the training, advice and guidance, are all targeted at ensuring the full implementation of infection control guidance. That guidance has been added to in the context of Covid-19 whereby we have learnt more about the virus over the period.