Nursing Home Beds

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 May 2014

Tuesday, 27 May 2014

Questions (732)

Michelle Mulherin

Question:

732. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Health the number of empty beds currently in private nursing homes in County Mayo; the total capacity of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22247/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

My Department does not collect information on the occupancy rates of private nursing homes at any particular point in time.

Under the Health Act, 2007 statutory responsibility is given to the Chief Inspector of Social Services, in the Health Information and Quality Authority for the registration and inspection of categories of designated centres, including nursing homes for older people. When nursing homes are registered under the Health Act 2007, their details are added to the appropriate register maintained by HIQA. There are at present 16 private nursing in Co. Mayo registered with the Authority. Further details on these homes and the total number of people that can be accommodated in each are available at www.hiqa.ie.