David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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194. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the issues relating to a facility (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that HIQA has undertaken three audits of the facility over the past 12 months; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that HIQA has advised that if identified issues relating to safeguarding and governance are not carried out in the next two weeks, it will have to close this facility; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that HIQA has already released an official closure notice with a two week stay; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that 19 persons are at risk of losing their home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25232/17]

David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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195. To ask the Minister for Health his plans for obtaining an extension on the closure order to allow staff in a facility (details supplied) sufficient time to ensure all requirements are met; his further plans to ensure the funding is forthcoming to the facility to allow required qualified persons to be employed there; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25233/17]

Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 194 and 195 together.

I am aware of the facility to which the Deputy refers and the recent decision of the independent regulator HIQA to issue a notice of determination to cancel the registration of this facility.

As the Deputy will be aware, the Health Act 2007 provided for the establishment of the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA), its inspection and regulation of designated centres, and the framework for registration of these designated centres. The Act sets out the provisions for service providers to respond to decisions made by HIQA and to appeal decisions to the District Court if required. There is no provision in the Act for me as Minister to intervene in decisions made by HIQA or the District Court in these matters.

HIQA is a fully independent authority charged with ensuring high-quality and safe care for people using our health and social care services in Ireland. I am assured that HIQA takes a proportionate and measured response to issues arising during the inspection and regulation process, and only takes escalated action where significant concerns are present.

The safety and protection of vulnerable people in the care of the State is paramount. My Department will remain in close contact with the HSE to ensure that all necessary actions are now taken in respect of the facility in question to ensure that its residents are cared for appropriately.

The issue of any additional funding requirements in this regard is a service matter for the HSE. Accordingly I have referred the Deputy’s second question to the HSE and have asked that the Executive reply directly to the Deputy on the matter.