David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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691. To ask the Minister for Health if he will advise on a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied) in relation to nursing homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23671/21]

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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There have been significant improvements in the epidemiological situation in nursing homes across the country as the vaccine rollout has continued. At present, there are 5 open outbreaks across the 571 nursing homes registered in Ireland, with only one new outbreak in the 14 days to 8 May. This represents a huge reduction from the high numbers of new and open outbreaks experienced in nursing homes in January of this year. The most recent cycle of serial testing among nursing home staff has returned a positivity rate of just 0.11%, which is also an improvement

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. 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. The Chief Inspector is responsible for the registration of designated centres, including nursing homes. Registration is for a period of three years and providers are only allowed to operate a designated centre if they are registered by the Office of the Chief Inspector.

The Nursing Homes Expert Panel was established, on foot of a NPHET recommendation, to examine the complex issues surrounding the management of COVID-19 among this particularly vulnerable cohort. This Expert Panel report, which was published in August 2020, has added further to our knowledge and learning. This report clearly outlines the key protective measures that we must ensure are in place across our nursing homes. These actions are based on learning from our own and the international experience of COVID-19 to date.

The recommendations in the Expert Panel report cover a range of measures, as they relate to nursing homes, including infection prevention and control and safe staffing framework. The report also recommends additional analysis and examination of the relevant public health and other data sets in order that further causal and protective factors for COVID-19 clusters are identified.

Work to progress the recommendations of the Expert Panel report, particularly those recommendations requiring a priority focus in the response to COVID-19, is ongoing across all of the health agencies and stakeholders. Continued learning and understanding of progression of the disease in Ireland is an integral part of those recommendations.

The HSE is a prescribed body under Article 28(1)(s) of the Planning and Development Regulations for planning applications “where it appears to the authority that the development might have significant effects on public health”. I have requested officials to consider the matter of planning applications for nursing homes for the purpose of ensuring that any future new developments align with broader reforms in older persons health and social care services, in addition to demographic needs.