Brendan Griffin
Ceist:1337. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1839/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 17 January 2017
Ceisteanna (1337)
Freagraí scríofa
The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) is an independent statutory authority established to drive high quality and safe care for people using health and social care services in Ireland. Since 2009 all nursing homes whether public or private are registered and inspected by HIQA. This includes a number of nursing homes operated by religious organisations. However, HIQA's remit does not extend to the regulation of residential centres catering for elderly members of religious orders. Under Section 2 of the Health (Nursing Homes) Act 1990, premises in which the majority of the persons being maintained are members of a religious order or priests of any religion are offered an exemption to registration. While there are currently no plans to extend HIQA’s remit to these institutions, I have had discussions on the matter and I intend to look at it again.