Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 576: To ask the Minister for Health if he has been furnished with a list by the Health Service Executive of residential health care facilities deemed to be inadequate for structural reasons arising from the Health Information Quality Authority inspections; if he will publish such a list; if he will outline the short to medium term consequences for these facilities arising from these HIQA inspections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34178/11]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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I have not been furnished with such a list referred to in the Deputy's Question. However, it is recognised that the age and profile of current public stock together pose significant challenges for the HSE. The Department is currently reviewing the provision of public residential care in the light of the need to meet national standards and regulations, local demographic pressures and the differential in public and private provision. The review will serve as a platform for discussion and will inform the development of an overall strategy on how the HSE should continue to provide this service in future in view of current budgetary and other pressures. The review must also be seen in the light of the wider health reform programme to which the Government is committed, and the position of social care services in a future health service.

Standard 25 of the National Quality Standards for Residential Care Settings for Older People addresses the physical environment for all types of residential centres. It should be noted that there is a distinction made between new and existing facilities. This provides a six year period for existing nursing homes, whether public, private or voluntary to meet certain infrastructural deficits, for example with regard to room sizes, the number of residents per room and usable floor space. The Chief Inspector has discretion to extend this timeframe where the provider and the Chief Inspector agree a written, explicit, costed plan with timescales to address these deficits.