Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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194. To ask the Minister for Health if he will commission a full independent review of service provision by a provider (details supplied) since publication of the Assurance Review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10507/23]

Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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As Minister for Disabilities, my primary concern is the safety and protection of vulnerable people in the care of our disability residential services and I take any issues raised regarding their care extremely seriously.

Sunbeam House Services CLG receives funding from the HSE under Section 38 of the Health Act, 2004.  The provision of services is managed through an annual contract known as a Service Level Arrangement which is continually reviewed.  The HSE retains operational responsibility for oversight of delivery of services in accordance with the service agreement.

Sunbeam House Services provides a range of supports to persons with intellectual disabilities. This includes Residential, Day, Respite and Rehabilitative Training services in County Wicklow and South County Dublin.  Sunbeam House Services operate 28 designated centres with 129 residential places.

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. Residential services (including residential respite services) which fall under the definition of registered centres as set out in the Health Act 2007, are subject to full registration and inspection by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA). The purpose of regulation is to safeguard and support the delivery of person-centred care to vulnerable people of any age who are receiving residential care services and to ensure that their health, well-being and quality of life is promoted and protected. 

My Department is aware of concerns raised by HIQA in relation to a decrease in compliance levels in a range of these centres in the past year which has impacted on the quality of care and support that residents experience. This is set out in the inspection reports for this provider that have been published on HIQA’s website. This has resulted in a requirement for increased inspection activity and HIQA advises that since 1 January 2022, there have been 38 inspections of designated centres operated by Sunbeam House Services CLG. HIQA is also engaged in a range of regulatory measures to drive improvements in the quality of support and care being delivered to residents. Compliance with HIQA standards for residential centres is a requirement under the Service Level Arrangements between the HSE and voluntary service providers.

Given the governance and oversight responsibilities of the HSE and HIQA respectively, currently, I have no plans to commission a full independent review of service provision. I have asked the HSE to provide the Deputy directly, with a response on the Status of the Assurance Review and current regulatory measures being implemented as soon as possible.