Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 238: To ask the Minister for Health the number of nursing homes in the State that are subject to inspection; and the frequency with which they are inspected. [17813/11]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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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 (nursing homes).

As of 26 June 2011 there are 590 designated centres (nursing homes)- this includes all active designated centres and new builds. Inspection frequency in terms of an actual site inspection varies on a centre by centre basis. All centres receive a registration inspection every three years. The frequency of any other site inspections are determined by the case holding inspector and take into account a range of factors to determine whether a site inspection is required.

In 2010 HIQA carried out 815 inspections. This year 368 inspections were completed between 1 January and 24 June.