Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)

Under the Bill, the Chief Inspector of Social Services has responsibility for inspecting and registering designated centres. Designated centres are defined as private nursing homes and institutions, homes or centres at which residential services are provided by the Health Service Executive or a service provider for children, people with disabilities or other dependent persons. The term "service provider" also covers a person who enters into an arrangement under section 38 of the Health Act 2004 to provide a health or personal social service on behalf of the Health Service Executive. It also means a person who is in receipt of assistance from the Health Service Executive under section 39 of the Health Act 2004 or section 10 of the Child Care Act 1991 in excess of an amount prescribed by regulation.

It is possible, however, that some residential services for children or people with disabilities may be provided by agencies which, by virtue of the small scale of the operation, may be in receipt of funding under section 10 of the Child Care Act 1991 or section 39 of the Health Act 2004 which is less than the amount prescribed. Such residential services are not included in the current definition of designated centre. Clearly, it is important that all residential centres are respected and, for this reason, we propose to amend the definition so that there is no question but that all residential services funded by the Health Service Executive are inspected.