John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 205: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her views on establishing an independent inspectorate to check standards in nursing homes, both public and private; the likely cost on an annualised basis of establishing such an agency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14367/05]

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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Regulations governing standards in the private nursing home sector are set out in the Nursing Home (Care and Welfare) Regulations 1993. These regulations only cover standards in the private nursing home sector. However, there are commitments in the health strategy, Quality and Fairness — A Health System for You, Sustaining Progress and An Agreed Programme for Government on the establishment of the social services inspectorate on a statutory basis and the extension of its remit to other social services including residential services for older people. It has been proposed that the inspectorate will take on responsibility for the intellectual disability area in the first instance before moving on to services for older people.

In the interim, work has been carried out in a number of Health Service Executive areas on developing standards for residential care for older people. At the same time, the Irish Health Services Accreditation Board has commenced work on examining the development of accreditation standards for residential care for older people, both public and private. In this regard it is developing a pilot programme which includes both public long-stay units and private nursing homes.

I intend to include the necessary legislative provisions in the health information and quality authority Bill due to be published later this year.