Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 501: To ask the Minister for Health his plans to introduce a permanent programme of independent inspections of all residential care centres for children and adults with disabilities, both intellectual and physical; if this is a responsibility he intends extending to the Health Information and Quality Authority; if existing legislation provides for such oversight of existing and future facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39957/11]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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As the Deputy will be aware, there is currently no statutory, independent inspection system in place in relation to residential services for people with disabilities. The lack of regulation of this sector is acknowledged as a matter of concern and the Government is committed to addressing this issue.

The legislative framework for the regulation of these services is provided for by the Health Act 2007, which imposes a statutory obligation on HIQA to register and inspect designated centres for older people, people with disabilities and children in need of care and protection. It envisages the registration and inspection schemes being supported by standards and underpinned by appropriate regulations.

The Health Act 2007 was commenced in respect of residential services for older people on 1 July 2009 and from that date all residential services for older people have been regulated and inspected by HIQA.

The Act has not yet been commenced in respect of residential services for people with disabilities. However, standards for the sector have been prepared and published by HIQA. The standards outline what is expected of a service provider and what a person with a disability, his or her family, and the public can expect to receive from residential care services. They clearly set out what a quality safe residential service for people with disabilities should be and support the delivery of person-centred care.

The current programme for Government includes a specific commitment to put these standards on a statutory footing and ensure that the services are inspected by HIQA. As I announced on 16 June, discussions have begun between the Department of Health and HIQA to progress this commitment. Given the complex nature of residential service provision for people with disabilities, ranging from congregated settings to dispersed housing in the community, careful consideration is being given to designing the most appropriate regulatory model and this work is ongoing. Appropriate regulations will be drafted as part of this process.

A target date of January 2013 has been provisionally set for the commencement of the proposed registration and inspection scheme for the sector.