Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 31 May 2023
140. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps he has taken in response to a Health Information and Quality Authority inspection report concerning a home (details supplied) where children were confined upstairs for days on end due to a broken lift; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26526/23]
View answerUnder the Health Act 2007, the Health Information Quality Authority (HIQA) disability inspection team 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
At the time of inspection, due to the findings, HIQA required the provider to take immediate and urgent action.
I am advised that following on from the inspection, the lift was repaired, with a service level agreement in place to ensure the lift is serviced on a regular basis. An electric evacuation chair has been purchased, with staff receiving training on its use, and certain staff have received training in Fire Safety and Evacuation procedures. Additionally, two residents previously impacted upon due to the lift malfunction have had their bedrooms relocated downstairs.
I am informed by HIQA that inspectors have undertaken a further inspection of the centre which found that the provider’s actions had been implemented and that there was a significant improvement in compliance levels. The inspection report will be published once it has gone through due process and inspectors continue to monitor the centre closely. Inspectors continue to monitor the centre.
The HSE has confirmed that it became aware of the issues that occurred at the premises in question following the publication of the HIQA report on the matter, but was not made aware of the unacceptable situation where a lift was broken in the premises for significant periods.
I have been advised by the HSE that as the organisation concerned is in receipt of funding from CHO7 and CHO8, both CHOs immediately contacted and visited the service on foot of the HIQA report.
A detailed plan of improvements is now agreed between the HSE and the service provider and these improvements will be reviewed in the next 3 months.
A Joint Review is being commissioned by the HSE and Tusla to establish the circumstances of this issue and the learnings from it. This review will be completed by the end of July 2023.
