Phil Prendergast (Labour)

I wish to comment on the absence of legislation relating to the Health Information and Quality Authority, HIQA, particularly that of a sort which would allow it to inspect unfettered and on an unannounced basis all private health care facilities — acute, non-acute and community-based. The absence of such a right of inspection is questionable, especially when moneys are being given to facilities by means of nursing home subventions through the National Treatment Purchase Fund or via tax breaks.

The Government appears to be planning to introduce the fair deal legislation which will make individuals liable to pay surcharges, possibly on their homes, up to a maximum of 15%. I am concerned that licensing regulation requirements relating or applicable to private facilities do not exist.