Ms Fiona Larthwell:

There are two parts to the Deputy's question. One is a technical point about the legislation itself. Even if the legislation were enacted tomorrow, there is a 12-month transitional period before it is commenced. Once commenced, providers have to register, and a 24-month period is envisaged for that. Certain provisions would come into place almost immediately on commencement. Those are to do with the role of HIQA and the chief inspector and things like that. However, the chief inspector would not be able to inspect until there were an inspection regime based on the regulations. The Deputy also raises a practical point about what that would look like to the person at home. The reality is that they will probably not see an inspector. The nature of a home support business is that people are out there delivering care to other people. The business itself is from a central location, and that is the location of the inspection. There would be a lot around the processes they have in place and the data they keep, the management of complaints and things like that. We do not envisage a situation where there would be a standard that involves going out to people in their homes. There is provision in the legislation that allows for it should it be necessary in particular circumstances. What we almost want to see is no effect on the service user except for a better quality of care. That is all we want to see.