Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 January 2023
1357. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 306 of 15 December 2022, if he will confirm that the registration of residential services with HIQA is done on a self-assessment basis by private providers, as set out in HIQA guidelines on definition of designated centres in June 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63923/22]
View answerThe Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) is an independent authority established under the Health Act 2007, to drive continuous improvement and to monitor safety and quality in Ireland’s health and personal social care services.
The Health Act 2007 (the Act) requires all providers, public, private and voluntary organisations, to identify residential services (older persons, people with disabilities and children) that meet the criteria for a designated centre and to apply to the Chief Inspector within HIQA to have those centres registered.
The Act sets out the criteria for designated centres and in addition, to assist providers, HIQA has published guidance on its website: What is a Designated Centre?.
The Health Act 2007, as amended requires providers to identify/assess whether their residential service meets the criteria for designated centre. If it meets the criteria set out in the Act, they are required to register the centre, and the Chief Inspector can conduct scheduled and unannounced inspections for compliance with the relevant Regulations.
It is important to note that the Chief Inspector does not have authority to inspect or regulate residential services that are not designated centres.
