Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Independent)
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455. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will report on the recent findings from the HIQA report into a centre (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4328/24]

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 understand that at the time of inspection, the Provider was found to be non-compliant on:

Regulation 8: Protection;

Regulation 15: Staffing; and

Regulation 23: Governance and management.

On the matter of non-compliance relating to Regulation 8: Protection, 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.

Additionally, on matters relating to non-compliance on Regulation 15 and 23, the Provider has put in place improvement plans to address shortcomings, to ensure compliance is attained in follow up inspections.