Dominic Hannigan (Meath East, Labour)
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Question 476: To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding plans to introduce a compulsory code of conduct for private providers of care to persons with disabilities in their homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28359/11]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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National Quality Standards: Residential Services for People with Disabilities were published by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) in 2009. The standards will provide a national framework for quality, safe services for people with disabilities in residential settings.

The current Programme for Government includes a commitment to "put the National Standards for Residential Services for People with Disabilities on a statutory footing and ensure that the services are inspected by the Health Information and Quality Authority." As announced on 16 June last, discussions have begun between the Department of Health and HIQA to progress this commitment.

Last week I released for public consultation the report of the Disability Policy Review which was drawn up for my Department by an Expert Reference Group. This report proposes a very significant reframing of disability services towards a model of individualised supports, underpinned by mainstreaming of all public services. As this policy develops, more people with disabilities will be provided with the supports necessary to allow them live in ordinary independent settings which are fully integrated into the local community. As part of this process, consideration will be given to mechanisms for ensuring quality and high standards in the provision of care to persons with disabilities in their own homes.