Bobby Aylward (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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1141. To ask the Minister for Health if the Health Service Executive subvention provided to a care home (details supplied) for the elderly in County Kilkenny can be increased as part of budget 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37962/17]

Bobby Aylward (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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1142. To ask the Minister for Health if the Health Service Executive administered additional funds to supported care homes can be increased by at least 10% during the three-year lifetime of the Government in addition to the current annual allowance as part of budget 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37963/17]

Bobby Aylward (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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1143. To ask the Minister for Health if a working group consisting of representatives of HIQA, supported care homes for the elderly and the Health Service Executive can be established to examine the inspection guidelines that can be applied to supported care homes for the elderly (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37964/17]

Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1141 to 1143, inclusive, together.

The level of funding available for the Health Service Executive is being considered as part of the national Estimates and budgetary process for 2018 which is currently underway. Pending completion of this process it is not appropriate for me to comment further at this stage.

Under the Health Act 2007, statutory responsibility is given to the Chief Inspector of Social Services, part of the Health Information and Quality Authority for the independent inspection and registration of certain categories of designated centres. This includes residential care settings for older people. As the Deputy is aware, the Office of the Chief Inspector is independent in its function. As such the type of working group suggested by the Deputy may not be the most appropriate vehicle for considering this issue.

However, in the first instance I will ask officials from my Department to open dialogue with the HSE to discuss the relevant issues of the supported care homes referred to by the Deputy.

The Department will also discuss the concerns of the supported care homes with HIQA in the course of its regular meetings with the Authority.