Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I, again, thank the Deputy for raising this matter and being the voice of the families on whose behalf he stands here before us.

I understand the significant particular impact that Covid-19 had on families who lost loved ones in nursing homes. My colleagues, the Minister, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, and the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, have met with some of these families and have heard first-hand of their experiences. We all remember how difficult that period was when visiting had to be restricted and when normal grieving and funeral processes had to be set aside.

One of the most important things we can take from experiences over the past two years is our learning and our understanding of the challenges facing the nursing home sector and how we can enhance and strengthen the quality of care. The independent Covid-19 nursing home expert panel produced a substantial package of 86 recommendations. These included: immediate actions required at the time for ongoing protection and support for nursing home residents during the pandemic; and medium and longer term recommendations in relation to broader systems reforms to enhance and better integrate nursing home care and older persons care more broadly.

Many of the short and medium-term recommendations have already been implemented and progress has been made on reform, including the draft legislation to provide HIQA with the new enforcement powers published in October. The patient advocacy service commenced roll-out in private nursing homes in November 2022 and amendment regulations have been published to standardise and enhance requirements for a complaints process. The findings of the first National Nursing Home Experience Survey were published in November 2022 and give us essential insights on the views of residents and their families.

I confirm that the Minister, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, and the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, are fully committed to further reform to ensure an improved quality of service and experience for individuals using health and social care services into the future.

I wish to conclude by offering my sympathies to the families that the Deputy speaks about.

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