Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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807. To ask the Minister for Health the procedures employed by the Health Service Executive, or his Department, to ensure that registered providers of nursing home care agree a contract with each resident, in accordance with Part 8 of the Health Act 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19043/14]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Under the Health Act 2007, statutory responsibility is given to the Health Information and Quality Authority for the independent inspection and registration of certain categories of designated centres including residential care settings for older people. This responsibility is underpinned by a comprehensive quality framework comprising the Health Act 2007, Regulations and the National Quality Standards for Residential Care Settings for Older People in Ireland.

All designated centres, public, voluntary and private nursing homes 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 accordance with the Regulations, registered providers must agree a contract with each resident within one month of their admission.

It is a matter for HIQA to determine whether a nursing home is in breach of the Regulations or the quality standards. If a nursing home is found not to be in compliance with the Regulations it may either fail to achieve or lose its registration status. HIQA also has wide discretion in deciding whether to impose conditions of registration on nursing homes.