Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Question 169: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her proposals to introduce legislation to allow for the independent inspection of residential places of care for adults and children with disabilities; if the nursing home inspectorate will have its remit extended to inspect such places of care; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39811/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Residential centres for children or adults with disabilities are not currently subject to statutory inspections. The Health Bill 2006 will provide for the establishment of the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) and the Office of the Chief Inspector of Social Services, within HIQA, with specific statutory functions. The Chief Inspector's functions will include the inspection and registration of residential centres for people with disabilities.

I should explain that nursing homes are currently inspected and registered by the Health Service Executive (HSE) but that the inspection and registration of private nursing homes will be a function of the Chief Inspector of Social Services under the Health Bill 2006. Children's residential centres provided by the HSE are currently inspected by the Social Services Inspectorate and the inspection and registration of these centres will also become a function of the Chief Inspector of Social Services under the Bill.

I intend to publish the Health Bill 2006 before the end of the year.