Written answers

Tuesday, 23 September 2014

Department of Health

Care of the Elderly Provision

Photo of Clare DalyClare Daly (Dublin North, United Left)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

418. To ask the Minister for Health the number of designated centres for the care of the elderly regulated under the Health Act 2007 (Care and Welfare of Residents in Designated Centres for Older People) Regulations 2009 which have major non-compliances in meeting the mandatory requirements to provide privacy and dignity due to insufficient physical design and layout; if he will provide the number of outstanding work plan applications by the Health and Safety Authority to his Department to rectify the situation; the location and estimates of costs of these proposals; and his plans to provide funding to allow these centres to meet the legal standards of the legislation intended to ensure the maintenance, care, welfare and well-being of persons resident in a designated centre. [35922/14]

Photo of Kathleen LynchKathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

About 20% of nursing homes are run directly by the HSE, with the balance operated by voluntary and private providers.

The National Quality Standards for Residential Care Settings for Older People in Ireland, which lay down the requirements that must be met by nursing homes across the State, are administered by the Health Information and Quality Authority. There are 32 Standards in all, and address all aspects of service in relevant facilities.

I have no information on the number of private or voluntary facilities who may face compliance issues relating to their physical structure, but I can say that a significant number of public facilities do face particular challenges in this regard. This is not surprising given the age of public facilities (25% are over 100 years), and the HSE has been in direct touch with HIQA on how best to protect the interests of those who reside in relevant facilities. At this point in time it is not yet clear what the final cost will be of the most urgent remedial measures.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.