Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour)
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920. To ask the Minister for Health to ensure statutory staff patient ratios are put in place and enforced at private nursing homes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34529/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy may be aware the Framework for Safe Nurse Staffing and Skill Mix (The Framework) is a systematic, evidence-based approach to determine safe staffing levels and skill mix for nursing and healthcare assistant roles. It is determined by patient/resident need and demonstrates impact through the measurement of a range of outcomes. Framework development comprises three phrases. Since 2018, two safe staffing policy documents have been published, Phase 1 focused on Adult General and Specialist Medical and Surgical Care Settings and Phase 2 focused on Adult Emergency Care Settings. National implementation of these policies is a priority with significant Government investment since 2020 of €56.2 million.

Phase 3 of the Framework in Community settings comprises three distinct stages: (i) Long-Term residential care settings for older persons; (ii) Community care settings; and (iii) Step-down and Rehabilitation settings.

Phase 3 (i) of the Framework is now at an advanced stage of development for long-term residential care settings for older people. The framework was tested nationally across a selection of public, private and voluntary long-term residential care settings for older persons. The pilot testing was underpinned by a programme of research that measured resident, staff and organisational outcomes associated with the chosen evidence based staffing model and dependency tool. The researchers are confident that this assessment tool and staffing model capture the care needs of residents. The effectiveness and appropriateness of both the tool and model was demonstrated through repeat assessments and peer reviews.

To date, three research reports have been provided to the Taskforce which concludes the research phase of development. All reports are expected to be published in the coming months. Based on the evidence, policy development is underway and is expected to be sent to me in Q3 2025 before publication.

When published, the policy will provide, for the first time, an objective and evidence based approach for all nursing homes nationally to determine their nursing staffing levels and skill mix required based on resident need and the opportunity to enhance and strengthen the role that the regulator can play in objectively monitoring the implementation of the Framework on a national basis.