Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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663. To ask the Minister for Health his views on a matter regarding a facility (details supplied), given the circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6801/23]

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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It became clear in late August 2022 that a small number of active nursing homes were being converted into accommodation centres for Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs). Other active nursing homes were known to be in official negotiations or to be considering this approach.

Given the challenges being faced in the nursing home sector, the Minister of Health and Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth agreed a joint position - namely, that the procurement guidelines around accommodation for persons under temporary protection would exclude nursing homes from consideration that were still registered operators with HIQA on or after the date of 1 September 2022. The intention behind this position is to avoid unintentionally incentivising active nursing homes to leave the market. Former nursing homes that had already ceased operation and were deregistered prior to this date would not be affected if they wished to enter into contracts as accommodation providers.

The Department of Health remains committed to continuing, constructive cross-Government engagement to address the health and social care needs of beneficiaries of temporary protection, as well as the identification of appropriate sites for that might be used for accommodation, and will continue to engage on this matter. Both departments are engaging to keep the policy under review with regard to specific facilities.