Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 June 2005
92 Mr. Hogan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if, as recommended by the Ombudsman, she will make all nursing home inspectors reports available to the general public as a matter of routine; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20890/05]
Amharc ar fhreagra166 Mr. Kenny asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she has any intention of removing the requirement whereby a person can only access information regarding nursing home inspections through the Freedom of Information Act 1997; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20870/05]
Amharc ar fhreagra243 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she has directly or indirectly issued instructions to public or private nursing homes restricting the information available to public representatives; if her attention has been drawn to a reluctance on the part of some officers of the Health Service Executive to provide information sought on the grounds of confidentiality; the way in which it is expected to provide a semblance of transparency or accountability in view of the lack of any structure, such as with the health boards, whereby Members of the Oireachtas had an opportunity to monitor policy as it is applied to their constituency or constituents; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21000/05]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 92, 166 and 243 together.
I wish to advise the Deputy that no instructions have been issued by my colleague, the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children, or by the Department in regard to restricting the release of information to public representatives on public and private nursing homes.
The Government is aware of the strong public interest in increasing the openness and transparency of the process of investigation of complaints by public bodies, particularly where the complaints concern the provision of care for older or vulnerable people. The Health Service Executive has now made a policy decision that with immediate effect the reports of all completed inspections of nursing homes should be made available to members of the public on request subject to legislation on freedom of information and data protection.
As the Deputy will no doubt be aware, access to certain records may be denied on the basis that disclosure of the information sought could involve the release of personal information on staff members or residents of the home. The Executive has decided that following a review and the standardisation of inspection report formats and consultation with key stakeholders, that it will publish all future reports on the its website subject of course to compliance with legislation in relation to the release of information.
In the circumstances, it is proposed to change the requirement whereby a person can only access information regarding nursing home inspections through the Freedom of Information Act 1997.
