Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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301. To ask the Minister for Health the number of HIQA inspections carried out in private nursing homes in 2013, 2014, 2015 and to date in 2016; the number of nursing homes which were required to make improvements and whether these improvements have taken place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32591/16]

Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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303. To ask the Minister for Health the number of HIQA inspections carried out in public nursing homes in 2013, 2014, 2015 and to date in 2016; the number of nursing homes which were required to make improvements; if these improvements have taken place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32592/16]

Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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304. To ask the Minister for Health the protection that exists for persons who are accessing nursing home care via the fair deal scheme when substandard care is reported by HIQA; the measures he is taking to address the standards and quality in fair deal scheme nursing homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32593/16]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 301, 303 and 304 together.

The Health Information and Quality Authority is the independent authority established under the Health Act 2007 to drive continuous improvement and to monitor safety and quality in Ireland’s health and personal social care services. Since 2009 all nursing homes - public, voluntary and private have been registered and inspected by HIQA.

The functions of the Minister for Health in relation to HIQA and the Chief Inspector of Social Services are prescribed in the Act, and in this respect the Chief Inspector is independent in the exercise of these functions.

This responsibility is underpinned by a comprehensive framework, including the National Quality Standards for Residential Care Settings for Older Peopleand the Health Act, 2007 (Care and Welfare of Residents in Designated Centres for Older People) Regulations, 2013. New National Standards, which were approved earlier this year, are based on the legislation. The Standards set out what is expected in terms of the service provided to residents, with a focus on continuous development of safe and effective care.

It is the responsibility of HIQA to assess whether residential services are providing high quality, safe and effective services and supports to residents, and to ensure that any issues or deficits are addressed to the satisfaction of the Authority. HIQA’s programme of both scheduled and unannounced inspections helps to ensure that standards are maintained and where issues of non-compliance arise that these are addressed and rectified. The findings of all monitoring inspections are set out under a maximum of 18 outcome statements. The outcomes inspected against are dependent on the purpose of the inspection. In contrast, thematic inspections focus in detail on one or more outcomes. This focused approach facilitates services to continuously improve and achieve improved outcomes for residents of designated centres.

Following an inspection providers are required to complete an action plan, setting out how they intend to address any non-compliance found by the inspectors and a timescale for doing so. The action plan is appended to the inspection report and both are published on HIQA's website . 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.

HIQA publishes an overview report of its regulatory programme and findings in designated centres for older persons annually. The latest report covered the period 1 January 2015 to 31 December 2015. A total of 411 nursing home inspections were carried out last year in 343 registered residential centres across the country, with almost half of all inspections being unannounced. The report sets out details of regulatory activity in respect of registration and renewals, inspection, other monitoring activities and necessary enforcement actions carried out in 2015. It also provides an analysis of the key areas of good practice and the areas that require improvement within the sector. This report is also available on HIQA's website.

I have asked HIQA for any additional information that may be available in this context and I will write to the Deputy directly with their response within the next 5 working days.