Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael)
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Question 183: To ask the Minister for Health his plans to bring forward legislation to set standards and regulate the provision of private home care companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14472/12]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Primary legislation and resources will be required to introduce a statutory regulation system for home care services. The question of possible changes to legislation, including regulation and inspection, for Home Care services for older people is under consideration. The Department is at present examining this matter in the overall context of the licensing of Health Care providers. Legislation is currently being prepared taking into account, for example, the recommendations of the Commission on Patient Safety and Quality Assurance, as set out in its report: Building a Culture of Patient Safety, and two reports by the Law Reform Commission entitled Legal Aspects of Carers and Legal Aspects of Professional Home Care. Various options are being considered including the complex legal issues involved, the need to prioritise legislative proposals in the wider Social Care area, and taking into account various operational improvements being progressed by the HSE in relation to the Home Support service for vulnerable older people.