Léim ar aghaidh chuig an bpríomhábhar
Gnáthamharc

Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 10 Apr 1984

Vol. 349 No. 9

Written Answers. - Homes for Incapacitated Persons.

488.

asked the Minister for Health if he will give details of the number of proceedings taken under the Health (Homes for Incapacitated Persons) Act, 1964 in the last ten years; the number of persons disqualified and homes closed; if he is satisfied with the powers he has in this regard; and the regulations there are under the Health (Homes for Incapacitated Persons) Act, 1964.

While the provisions of the Health (Homes for Incapacitated Persons) Act, 1964, and the Homes for Incapacitated Persons Regulations, 1966, are actively enforced by the health boards, no proceedings have been taken by health boards in the last ten years under section 2 (5) of the Act. However, while no proceedings have been taken, health boards do take action in respect of nursing homes where poor standards are found to exist. In fact, there have been cases where health boards have withdrawn the payment of subventions in respect of patients maintained in certain nursing homes because of unsatisfactory conditions therein. Many of these homes subsequently closed.

However, as I have stated on a number of occasions, I am not satisfied with the extent of the powers and standards provided under present legislation. Consequently I am currently preparing proposals for submission to Government for a revision of this legislation.

Barr
Roinn