Pauline Tully (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

155. To ask the Minister for Health the number of announced, short notice announced or unannounced inspections of residential centres for people with disabilities carried out by HIQA in 2021, in tabular form; if he has plans to increase the number of unannounced inspections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7682/23]

Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) is the independent Authority established to drive continuous improvement in Ireland's health and personal social care services, monitor the safety and quality of these services, and promote person-centred care for the benefit of the public.

During 2021, HIQA completed 1,220 inspections of centres for people with disabilities. Of the 1,220 inspections completed in 2021, 16% were announced, 53% were short-notice announced, with the remaining 31% unannounced.

The short-notice announced inspections were introduced as a necessary infection prevention and control measure during the pandemic. It is important to note that where there were concerns about potential risk to residents, HIQA also undertook unannounced inspections.

Normally, each centre will receive one announced inspection in a three-year cycle. This announced inspection serves an important purpose in giving residents and relatives notice of the inspection so that they can make arrangements to meet with and speak with inspectors if they wish.

Last year, HIQA incrementally returned to a normalised approach to inspection, as the full impact of the pandemic abated. The information on announced and unannounced inspections for 2022 will be verified and prepared for inclusion in HIQA’s Annual Report to be published in the next few months.