I propose to take Questions Nos. 102 and 203 together.
I wish to advise the Deputy that there is no legal obligation on the Health Service Executive to check the inspection reports of a private nursing home prior to placing a patient in that facility. However, the HSE when considering placing a person in such a facility, would have regard to the standards of care provided there. In this regard the results of inspection reports would be taken into account when assessing the suitability of such establishments.
The Department is currently reviewing the Health (Nursing Homes) Act 1990 and regulations made under the Act to strengthen the powers available to the HSE. This will be a wide-ranging review which will have the rights of patients at its centre and the issues raised by the Deputy will be taken into account as part of the review. It is the intention to have this Bill published later on this year.