Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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706. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on phase two of plans to review the nursing home regulatory model, which was due to commence in quarter three of 2022 as per the Fourth Progress Report on the Implementation of the Covid-19 Nursing Homes Expert Panel Recommendations; if this process has commenced; the status of HIQA’s international evidence review of nursing home regulatory models; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59389/22]

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The Health Act 2007 established the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) and the Office of the Chief Inspector of Social Services. In doing so, it also provides for a scheme of registration and inspection of residential services for older persons (nursing homes), persons with disabilities and children in need of care and protection. HIQA's functions include the setting of standards on safety and quality in respect of these residential services and the Chief Inspector of Social Services monitors compliance with standards and regulations.

In response to recommendations from the Nursing Homes Expert Panel and in recognition of the need for regulatory reform and the need to modernise legislation, a phased approach has been determined to examine the legislation with a view to enhancing the nursing home regulatory model.

Phase one is bringing forward interim legislative enhancements aimed at making initial improvements to the regulatory framework across two thematic areas (1) provide a broader suite of enforcement tools for the Chief Inspector and (2) the collection, sharing and publication of key date on designated centres to support service and policy development.

Phase two is a wider, root and branch review of the nursing home regulatory model. Phase two has commenced with an international evidence review of nursing home regulatory models by HIQA to support the wider reform. The review is nearing completion and will be published in due course. It is intended that this evidence review will lay the foundation for stakeholder engagements in early 2023 which will further inform the scope and nature of proposed changes.