Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 25 November 2020
267. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health the criteria that have to be met for HIQA to become concerned about the welfare of residents in a nursing home; and in cases in which HIQA has concerns, the steps it takes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39247/20]
View answerThe Chief Inspector of Social Services takes a risk-based approach to regulation which means that decisions are based on the information about the centre. Regulatory activities are prioritised and resources are organised to ensure monitoring, inspection and enforcement are based on the assessment of the risk that the regulated service poses. In deciding the most appropriate regulatory response, the Chief Inspector’s main focus is to ensure the safety of residents and bring about compliance.
There are a number of options available to the Chief Inspector and these include:
- Escalated regulatory activity options such as:
- a risk-based inspection
- seeking further information such as a compliance plan update or assurance report
- provider meeting
- warning letter
- asking the provider for information under the Chief Inspector’s statutory powers under section 65 of the Act
- reassessing the fitness of the provider or persons participating in the management of the designated centre.
Statutory enforcement options such as:
- refuse to register or renew the registration of a designated centre
- vary or remove a centre’s condition of registration
- attach an additional condition of registration
- cancel a centre’s registration
- urgent application to the district court (with or without notice to the provider) to cancel registration or vary, remove or attach additional conditions of registration.
