Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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Under the Health Act 2007, the Health Information Quality Authority (HIQA) is legally responsible for the monitoring, inspection and registration of designated centres for adults and children with a disability.

Additionally, HIQA has responsibility for setting standards for healthcare services, and monitoring compliance with those standards. It also regulates facilities providing care for those with disabilities, to determine if they are meeting the relevant National Standards

I am advised that at the time of inspection it was found that the provider was failing to implement its own Garda vetting policy in the centre. The issue relates to the renewal of Garda vetting, and also the review of Garda vetting outcomes when received, to ensure they do not contain information of concern.

I understand that the provider acknowledged the potential safeguarding risk of these findings and took timely action to review its Garda vetting arrangements.

HIQA is satisfied that the provider has implemented the arrangements. HIQA Inspectors reviewed the implementation of these arrangements at subsequent inspections, and have found that the new arrangements are being implemented and that there is improved oversight of Garda vetting as a safeguarding issue.