Eric Byrne (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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1299. To ask the Minister for Health the appropriate legal minimum ratio of nursing staff to patients in nursing homes; the minimum standard of care as set by his Department in nursing homes; if any consideration is being given to a continuity of care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36996/13]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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The Health Act, 2007 introduced a significant change to how residential care settings for older people are inspected and registered. Since July, 2009 the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) is the statutory independent body responsible for the registration and inspection of all residential care services for older people. This responsibility is underpinned by a comprehensive regulatory framework comprising of the Health Act 2007, the Health Act 2007 (Care and Welfare of Residents in Designated Centres for Older People) Regulations 2009, as amended, the Health Act 2007 (Registration of Designated Centres for Older People) Regulations 2009 and the National Quality Standards for Residential Care Settings for Older People in Ireland.

All nursing homes, public and private are subject to the same core standards and regulations in relation to quality and safety in order to ensure the well-being of their residents. In the context of continuity of care the regulations require that an individual care plan must be developed and agreed with each resident and this plan must be kept under review as required by their changing needs or circumstances.

The staffing requirement of each nursing home is dependent on its configuration, occupancy and the dependency levels of its residents. It is a matter for HIQA's Chief Inspector of Social Services to determine, for each nursing home, whether the staffing level and mix is appropriate.