Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 493, 494, 496, 498 and 499 together.

I propose to respond to PQs 50646/ 50645/ 50643/ 50641/ 50640 together.

The Chief Inspector of Social Services (Chief Inspector) within HIQA, has statutory powers to assess compliance by nursing home providers with the regulations and standards made under the Health Act 2007. All concerns about services brought to the attention of the Chief Inspector are risk-rated and appropriate action is taken to inform regulatory activity.

HIQA carried out an unannounced inspection of the nursing home referred to on 11 February in light of the notification of a significant number of deaths at the centre and following the receipt of a number of unsolicited concerns about the centre. The inspection report for this unannounced inspection can be found on the HIQA website www.hiqa.ie/reports-and-publications/inspection-reports.

The Health Act 2007 (Care and Welfare of Residents in Designated Centres for Older People) Regulations 2013 requires the notification to the Chief Inspector within three days of the occurrence of the unexpected death of any resident.

The nursing home did not notify the Chief Inspector of nine unexpected deaths within the required timeframe, and this is outlined in the inspection report of 11 February 2021, where a judgement of non-compliance with the regulations was made in relation to Regulation 31. A compliance plan addressing all areas of non-compliance is published at the end of the inspection report.

It is not unusual for HIQA to conduct single-person inspections.

HIQA continued to engage with the nursing home and a further two inspections were conducted later that year. All three inspection reports can be found at the link provided.

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I am not aware if any concerns were raised with safeguarding and protection teams in relation to the nursing home referred to as this is an operational issue.

More generally, Public Health and Community Response Teams in the HSE were responsible for supporting nursing homes during COVID-19 outbreaks. I understand that the HSE was notified of an outbreak at this nursing home in early January 2021. When notified of this outbreak, an Outbreak Management Team was convened by the Director of Public Health. In this instance, Public Health specialists and nurses worked with the Community Response Team to support the nursing home through the provision of a range of supports.

Concerning the second issue which the Deputy has raised, as this question relates to an operational matter of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI), I have referred the question to the NMBI for its attention and direct response to the Deputy.

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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As this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

As the Deputy may be aware, management and administrative grade staff in the Fórsa union in the HSE commenced industrial action on Friday, 6 October. As a consequence of this industrial action, members in these grades are not engaging with political forums or processes.

As a result, the question asked by the Deputy may be delayed in receiving a response directly from the HSE.

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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As this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

As the Deputy may be aware, management and administrative grade staff in the Fórsa union in the HSE commenced industrial action on Friday, 6 October. As a consequence of this industrial action, members in these grades are not engaging with political forums or processes. As a result, the question asked by the Deputy may be delayed in receiving a response directly from the HSE.