Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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183. To ask the Minister for Health his advice on correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10877/16]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) is an independent statutory authority established to drive high quality and safe care for people using health and social care services in Ireland. HIQA's role is to develop standards and inspect and review health and social care services; however its remit does not extend to the regulation of residential centres for elderly members of religious orders.

Under Section 2 of the Health (Nursing Homes) Act 1990 premises in which the majority of the persons being maintained are members of a religious order or priests of any religion are offered an exemption to registration.

The agency referred to in the Deputy's question is a voluntary body and has no regulatory function.