Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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584. To ask the Minister for Health if his Department will be liaising with the Health Information and Quality Authority to ensure that a full and thorough investigation is carried out following complaints made about certain incidents of concern in an organisation (details supplied) working with persons with intellectual disabilities. [54037/13]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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This government announced the commencement of a new scheme of registration and inspection of Residential Services for People with Disabilities by the Health Information and Quality Authority from 1 November 2013. HIQA are now able to set and monitor standards for designated centres which include residential services provided to persons with disabilities. HIQA are also now empowered to undertake investigations as to the safety, quality and standards of these residential services. This has been called for by the disability sector for a number of years. The sector was widely consulted in the drawing up of the new standards. The new standards, with guidance from HIQA, will empower providers to deliver even higher quality services.

In relation to the specific issues raised I have been advised by the HSE that Stewarts Care received reports at the end of November from student nurses expressing concerns around some practices in relation to the delivery of services to service users in their residential services.

In accordance with statutory requirements, Stewarts Care informed the HSE and HIQA of the reports. An investigation team was identified in line with guidance received from HIQA. I understand that following consultation with HIQA a number of staff have been suspended pending the outcome of this process. No one from Stewarts Care is now on the team examining the issues.

As an investigation into the allegations is underway it is not appropriate for me to comment further.

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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585. To ask the Minister for Health the number of facilities providing services to persons with intellectual disabilities inspected by the Health Information and Quality Authority since the new inspection regime for such facilities became operational in November 2013. [54039/13]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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On 1 November, 2013, I announced the commencement of a new scheme of registration and inspection of residential services for people with disabilities by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA). This marked a new era in protecting people with disabilities in residential services and ensured that HIQA are empowered to undertake investigations as to the safety, quality and standards of residential services for people with disabilities. HIQA are now also able to set and monitor standards for these designated centres and the new standards with guidance from HIQA will empower providers to deliver even higher quality services.

I have been informed by HIQA that since the new regime became operational, twelve inspections have taken place at residential services for person with intellectual disabilities.