Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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679. To ask the Minister for Health the way in which HIQA publishes its reporting policy and procedure used to decide the way that the allegations of physical abuse, sexual abuse, institutional abuse, psychological abuse, financial abuse and neglect received in respect of nursing homes are reported to An Garda Síochána; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6152/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I am advised by the Health Information and Quality Authority thatHIQA is guided by HSE national policy in relation to the reporting of abuse, both in terms of its own responsibility and that of providers in the sector.

I am further advised by HIQA that itis aware of its responsibilities under criminal justice legislation that may apply when it receives information on safeguarding matters. This includes assessment of the information and adhering to any reporting obligations that may arise as a result of provisions in the Criminal Justice (Withholding of Information on Offences against Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012 and the Criminal Justice Act, 2011.

HIQA has advised that all unsolicited information received in relation to its regulatory and monitoring functions is screened and responded to. This information is risk-rated and when it is substantiated, appropriate regulatory action is taken in response. HIQA has noted that this approach to unsolicited information was set out in the document: ‘The use of information gathered and received in the regulation of services’(September 2018), provided to the Joint Committee on Health.