Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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628. To ask the Minister for Health the reason HIQA has not inspected a nursing unit (details supplied) following a request to do so by the provider, which requires additional bed capacity to meet growing demands in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60645/22]

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.

HIQA has advised my Department that the designated centre referred to by the Deputy was inspected in January, May and August of this year, and HIQA have engaged extensively with the registered provider including in relation to their intention to register additional beds. Much of that engagement focused on the issues identified via the inspection process, and the requirement to submit the outstanding paperwork that was necessary to register new beds in this centre. 

Following the most recent inspection in August, the registered provider was advised that the renewal of registration of this centre (including the registration of new beds) could not progress until new bedroom accommodation was ready and the outstanding paperwork, as well as information pertaining to fire safety and regulatory compliance in the centre was submitted. Delayed submission of the required information meant that the notice of the proposed decision to renew registration was not issued until 27 October 2022. Following a representation that the provider made on 4 November 2022 to this notice, a further inspection is now required to assess the actions taken by the registered provider to address the regulatory non-compliances identified during the inspection process in August.

Inspections are prioritised on the basis of risk, the ability to put new beds into the system, date of receipt of applications and available resources.