Ms Susan Cliffe:

Our process is to review every piece of information we receive, assess the level of risk posed to each resident and look at what action has already been taken on foot of such information. If we are not satisfied with the action that has been taken, we can revert to the provider and request additional information. We can ask providers to carry out further work if we feel that is what is necessary on the basis of the information we already have. We can schedule an inspection on foot of that or we can align it with the rest of the information we have about a centre and use it in a line of inquiry for an inspection that may be already be planned for a centre. The final thing we will do is look at the information. If it makes reference to areas outside our area of expertise or our regulatory powers, we may look to refer that to other authorities, such as environment health officers, the fire authorities, the Garda or the Health and Safety Authority, if that is what is relevant.