Martin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein)
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Question 24: To ask the Minister for Health the action he will take to provide a more rigorous regulatory regime for nursing homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17911/11]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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It is important that we have effective mechanisms in place to maintain and enhance public confidence in the delivery of quality services. Residents, their families and the public need to be assured that an independent regulator is monitoring the care people receive. The Health Act, 2007 provides this, with a regime designed to protect through an independent inspection and registration system for residential services.

On 1 July 2009 statutory responsibility was given to the Chief Inspector of Social Services, part of the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) for inspecting and registering nursing homes. This responsibility is underpinned by a comprehensive quality framework comprising the Health Act 2007, the Health Act 2007 (Care and Welfare of Residents in Designated Centres for Older People) Regulations and the National Quality Standards for Residential Care Settings for Older People in Ireland.

HIQA registers and inspects nursing homes to make sure they are safe and that residents are being cared for properly. The inspections aim to ensure that poor services are not allowed to operate and to support nursing homes to provide quality, person-centred care.

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. While all centres receive a registration inspection every three years, inspections are carried out on an on-going basis with their frequency determined by the case holding inspector. The inspections are a mixture of both announced and unannounced visits, which could happen by day, at weekends and at night.

In 2010 HIQA carried out 815 inspections. This year 368 inspections were completed between 1 January and 24 June. An inspection report is produced by the Authority after each inspection. These are published and any necessary actions required on the part of the provider will be clearly indicated in the report.

Recent events have highlighted that the independent regulator is getting on with the job it was established to do. I am satisfied that the Authority continues to play a key role in maintaining public confidence in residential care and there are no plans to change the current regulatory framework. I can, however, advise the Deputy that the Department is carrying out a review of the Care and Welfare Regulations which is expected to be completed by the end of this year.