Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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281. To ask the Minister for Health if he will ensure that a comprehensive assessment will be carried out on a person (details supplied). [34393/16]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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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.

However, the Health Act 2007 (Care and Welfare of Residents in Designated Centres for Older People) Regulations 2013, as amended, include provisions governing individual assessment and care plan for residents. The regulations also include provisions governing the contract for provision of services, including a requirement that a discharge shall be discussed, planned for and agreed with a resident and, where appropriate, with their family or carer, and in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract.

Registered providers of nursing home care are obliged to provide an accessible and effective complaints procedure. Concerns should in the first instance be taken up with the nursing home provider. The Office of the Ombudsman can examine complaints about the actions of a range of public bodies and, from 24 August 2015, complaints relating to the administrative actions of private nursing homes. The Office of the Ombudsman normally only deals with a complaint once the individual has already gone through the complaints procedure of the private nursing home concerned.

The provision of homecare is a service matter and that aspect has accordingly been referred to the HSE for direct reply.