Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 432: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the assistance she will give regarding the problems of a care home in County Waterford (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1351/11]

Áine Brady (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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I understand the Deputy is referring to a specific facility that proposes to provide short-term residential care in the HSE Southern region.

Under the Health Act 2007 statutory responsibility is given to the Chief Inspector of Social Services, part of the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA), for the independent inspection and registration of certain categories of designated centres. This includes residential care settings for older people. Since 1 July 2009 all nursing homes, public and private, are registered under the Health Act 2007 (Registration of Designated Centres for Older People) Regulations 2009, as amended, by the Chief Inspector. All nursing homes (public and private) are inspected under the Health Act 2007 (Care and Welfare of Residents in Designated Centres for Older People) Regulations 2009, as amended, and must meet the National Quality Standards for Residential Care Settings for Older People in Ireland.

The Chief Inspector has the power to refuse to register, attach conditions to a registration or cancel the registration of a designated centre in the event of non-compliance with the regulations or the standards. It would be inappropriate for me to comment on an individual application for registration.

I can, however, advise the Deputy that my Department recently commenced a review of the Care and Welfare Regulations. As part of the review submissions are welcomed from any individual, group or other body who wishes to make a contribution. Closing date for receipt of submissions is Monday, 31 January 2011 and further details are available at www.dohc.ie/consultations. The issues raised in submissions, including issues specific to this type of residential facility, will be borne in mind when carrying out this review, which is due to be completed by mid-2011.