Michael Healy-Rae
Question:405. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if assistance will be given to organisations (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11381/24]
View answerThursday, 7 March 2024
Questions (405)
Written answers
The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) was established under the Health Act 2007. HIQA’s role is to promote quality and safety in the provision of health and personal social services for the benefit of the health and welfare of the public. The Chief Inspector of Social Care and the Health Information Quality Authority (HIQA) is the national independent regulator of designed centres for older people including public community nursing units and private nursing homes.
As an independent organisation, the Authority is committed to an open and transparent relationship with its stakeholders. It’s independence within the health system is key and central to being successful in undertaking it’s functions.
Registered providers of nursing homes are not required to pay HIQA a fee to have inspections carried out. All registered providers are required to pay an annual fee of €183 per resident, which is payable in three equal instalments on 1 January, 1 May and 1 September in respect of each four-month period immediately following those dates. This requirement is set out in S.I. No. 61 of 2015 - Health Act 2007 (Registration of Designated Centres for Older People) Regulations 2015.
The regulations also allow registered provider to avail of a reduced payment if they notify the Chief Inspector in writing of their occupancy levels by the 15th day of the calendar month in which each instalment falls due. Last year, over 85% of registered providers availed of the opportunity to notify the Chief Inspector of occupancy levels less than the number of registered beds.