Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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750. To ask the Minister for Health his plans extend the powers of the Health Information and Quality Authority, the Ombudsman or other State agencies to investigate individual complaints in private nursing homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21763/15]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Since 2009 all nursing homes - public, voluntary and private have been registered and inspected by the Health Information and Quality Authority. During the course of this Government, HIQA’s function has been extended to residential services for those with disabilities and child protection services. As regulator, HIQA’s remit operates at the level of facilities rather than of individual complaints. However, HIQA takes account of all available information, including any individual complaints received, when inspecting and regulating relevant facilities.

The remit of the Office of the Ombudsman is a matter for the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, and I have passed this aspect of your Question to him for direct reply to you.