John Paul Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Question 172: To ask the Minister for Health when the review of the Health Information Quality Authority standards for nursing homes which is also applied to welfare homes will be completed and when new standards specifically for those welfare homes will be put in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33507/11]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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My Department has initiated a review of the Health Act 2007 (Care and Welfare of Residents in Designated Centres for Older People) Regulations 2009, as amended. These Regulations set out detailed requirements regarding, among other things, staffing and environmental conditions for all designated centres, including welfare homes.

As part of the review process submissions were invited and received from interested parties, including the support care homes referred to by the Deputy. The Department also met with a representative from the care homes. Due consideration is being given to the issues raised including the nature and status of the care homes.

It is expected that the review will be completed shortly and that amending regulations will introduced in 2012.