Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)

On 7 April 2006, in line with commitments I gave during the debate on the Health Act 2004, I published, for consultation purposes, the draft heads and general scheme of a Bill providing for the establishment of the health information and quality authority, HIQA. Included in the scheme is provision for the establishment of the office of the chief inspector of social services within HIQA. The office of the chief inspector will be assigned responsibility for the inspection of residential services for older people, including private nursing homes.

The public consultation on the draft heads concluded last Friday and I intend to seek Government approval as soon as possible to commence drafting the full Bill. It is my intention to publish the Bill during the autumn session.

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