Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael)

As the Deputy will be aware, in the context of providing security for nursing homes residents, if a provider fails, the State, through the HSE, steps in so that the home can continue to operate. We took over six nursing homes in the past year. There were Bushfield Care Centre, Fearna Manor Nursing Home and Lucan Lodge Nursing Home and three homes that were operated by Aperee, namely, Aperee Living Ballinasloe, Aperee Living Galway and Aperee Living Camp. When HIQA is carrying out its inspections, I would expect that this would be an area it would cover. I will go back to HIQA on the matter. This is something we must look at in terms of the regulatory process. Politics aside, it is all about the carer of the older person.