Results 26,141-26,160 of 26,185 for speaker:Kieran O'Donnell

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Standards of Care, Related Practices and Oversight in Nursing Homes: Discussion (18 Jun 2025)

Kieran O'Donnell: That is something that is hugely important to state as well.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Standards of Care, Related Practices and Oversight in Nursing Homes: Discussion (18 Jun 2025)

Kieran O'Donnell: I would like to see that research the Chair has provided. We have an empirical body of work ongoing with the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies to specifically look at the growth of groups and what the Chair said about their large increase in delivery of healthcare. That sector is regulated as well, and there are good nursing homes there. As I have come into the role now,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Standards of Care, Related Practices and Oversight in Nursing Homes: Discussion (18 Jun 2025)

Kieran O'Donnell: It comes down to individual nursing homes. HIQA is regulating across the sector, whether that is in the public, private or voluntary sectors. It is about that individual nursing home. The Chair might provide that research that he has and I will follow up on that.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Standards of Care, Related Practices and Oversight in Nursing Homes: Discussion (18 Jun 2025)

Kieran O'Donnell: Yes.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Standards of Care, Related Practices and Oversight in Nursing Homes: Discussion (18 Jun 2025)

Kieran O'Donnell: On the safeguarding policy, you can refer them. They do not have a legal right of entry but with regard to the regulation for safeguarding, that is there.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Standards of Care, Related Practices and Oversight in Nursing Homes: Discussion (18 Jun 2025)

Kieran O'Donnell: Invariably, nursing homes, in virtually all cases, will allow the HSE to enter. That is something that is there. Once again, we still need the legislation and that is why I want to bring it forward as a matter of urgency.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Standards of Care, Related Practices and Oversight in Nursing Homes: Discussion (18 Jun 2025)

Kieran O'Donnell: Work has been done with regard to the regulations and the legislation by both HIQA and the Mental Health Commission in terms of safeguarding in nursing homes. You also had the national safeguarding office being set up in the HSE and it has put teams in there. On a practical level, they are there. For me, it is in the programme for Government, and I can only operate in the role I am in...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Standards of Care, Related Practices and Oversight in Nursing Homes: Discussion (18 Jun 2025)

Kieran O'Donnell: Once again, the fines issue came up in the committee hearing today, which I heard for the first time. They are available to us. HIQA can go to the District Court and there can be fines, potentially up to €70,000, along with prison sentences. On the measures it has, one is the ultimate, which is to close. It has measures in respect of restrictive conditions to stop the nursing home...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Standards of Care, Related Practices and Oversight in Nursing Homes: Discussion (18 Jun 2025)

Kieran O'Donnell: Deputy Cahill might bear with me. No, I have not met the Emeis group. It would not be appropriate. HIQA is carrying out inspections and investigations with regard to the group. We need to let it do its work. It is important. I do not want to in any way interfere in that process. There is a body of work ongoing with the Emeis group, and it is something I take very seriously. Senator...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Standards of Care, Related Practices and Oversight in Nursing Homes: Discussion (18 Jun 2025)

Kieran O'Donnell: There is nothing to stop HIQA taking them to the District Court where fines can be imposed, with whatever is required at that court. The wider question of HIQA itself being able to impose fines is something we will look at. We need to bring in an enhanced inspection regime to ensure we have a safe environment for residents and any compliance issues that arise are dealt with immediately....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Standards of Care, Related Practices and Oversight in Nursing Homes: Discussion (18 Jun 2025)

Kieran O'Donnell: I thank the committee. I look forward to any further engagement. It is all about a common purpose in very much having safe nursing homes for our elderly. That is the absolute objective. I am determined we get to that. It is something we will continue to work on.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Standards of Care, Related Practices and Oversight in Nursing Homes: Discussion (18 Jun 2025)

Kieran O'Donnell: I will first clarify a point. Under the legislation, HIQA can bring nursing homes to the District Court, which can impose fines. It is not fair to say that there is not a mechanism in place because there is.

Nursing Homes and Care for Older Persons: Statements (Resumed) (24 Jun 2025)

Kieran O'Donnell: I welcome that.

Nursing Homes and Care for Older Persons: Statements (Resumed) (24 Jun 2025)

Kieran O'Donnell: The Deputy should write to me about that.

Nursing Homes and Care for Older Persons: Statements (Resumed) (24 Jun 2025)

Kieran O'Donnell: I thank all the Members. Some 40 Members spoke in this debate. People were very constructive. Like everyone else, I was shocked by the programme. It was wanton neglect and abuse. I thank the Members for their very constructive engagement. I will attempt to cover the areas that people brought up. What we saw happening on the programme was pure wanton neglect and abuse of older...

Seanad: Dental Services: Motion (25 Jun 2025)

Kieran O'Donnell: I will send a note to the Minister.

Seanad: Dental Services: Motion (25 Jun 2025)

Kieran O'Donnell: I thank the Senators for their contributions, and particularly the Fine Gael Senators for tabling the motion and providing us the opportunity to discuss dental services and outline the Government’s priority to fundamentally reform these services over the coming years. I am taking this debate on behalf of Minister for Health, Deputy Carroll MacNeill. She is not opposing the motion. ...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Regulatory Bodies (26 Jun 2025)

Kieran O'Donnell: The Deputy and I have engaged intensively at the health committee. I will go through the points she raised. With regard to the licensing, there is absolutely a lacuna there at the moment. Within a group of companies, the licensing inspection is on individual nursing homes and who they are run by, but the parent company is not under HIQA's remit. I want that to be changed. There is an...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Regulatory Bodies (26 Jun 2025)

Kieran O'Donnell: The context here is quite simple. I always go back to the needs of older persons in nursing homes. What we saw in that programme with the residents in the nursing homes in Portlaoise and Beneavin was wanton neglect and abuse of older people. We want to look at the regulatory system and how we can improve it. All aspects will be considered. This is ultimately about improvements and...

Seanad: Nursing Homes and Care for Older Persons: Statements (26 Jun 2025)

Kieran O'Donnell: I welcome the opportunity to discuss nursing homes and the care of older people with Members of the Seanad. I acknowledge the "RTÉ Investigates" programme that was broadcast on 4 June. This hard-hitting and harrowing programme highlighted a litany of poor care standards in two nursing homes, showing clear neglect and abuse of older people, namely, The Residence Portlaoise and...