Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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188. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 396 of 20 September 2017, if HIQA has been instructed to invigilate the extra charges by nursing homes; the role of the interdepartmental agency working group; if further funding will be required to ensure the implementation of recommendations in the 2015 review of the nursing homes support scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41102/17]

Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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When the NHSS commenced in 2009, a commitment was made that it would be reviewed after three years. The Report of the Review was published in July 2015. Arising out of the Review, a number of key issues have been identified for more detailed consideration across Departments and Agencies.

An Interdepartmental/Agency Working Group has been established to progress the recommendations contained in the Review. This Group is chaired by the Department of Health and includes representatives from the Department of the Taoiseach, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, the HSE, the Revenue Commissioners, and when required, the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF). These recommendations include

- Improvements to the administration of the Scheme, including an examination of the treatment of farm and business assets for the purposes of the financial assessment element of the Scheme;

- A review of how prices for private and voluntary nursing homes are set by the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF);

- A Value for Money and Policy Review of the cost differentials in public and private/voluntary residential facilities, due to commence in 2017.

Funding for the implementation of certain recommendations, where required, will be considered on a case by case basis. I have also asked this group to consider the issue of additional charges in nursing homes. On foot of this, a Department led project team will identify and examine the key issues and considerations in relation to additional charges, explore options to respond to those issues and analyse the implications and consequences of those options. The Interdepartmental Group will then consider the issues identified and once they have completed this consideration they will decide what steps to propose next and report back to Minister Daly.

In light of this work I have not requested HIQA to invigilate the additional charges by nursing homes. HIQA 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.