Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 March 2017
965. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the reason legislation has not been put in place with regard to HIQA (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13908/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Health Act 2007 statutory responsibility is given to the Chief Inspector of Social Services, part of the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA), for the independent inspection and registration of certain categories of designated centres. The definition of a designated centre as set out in Section 2 of the 2007 Act does not include sheltered housing schemes and there are no plans to extend the remit of HIQA to undertake inspections of sheltered housing.
However the Health Service Executive can provide health and personal services to tenants in sheltered housing in the same way that they are provided to older people living in their own homes in the community. It is my view, and that of the Government, that we need a stand alone funding scheme designed for home care that recognises its particular characteristics together with regulation of home care services. The future regulation of home care services in sheltered accommodation will be considered in this context. With that in mind, I have committed to the initiation of public consultation on the regulation of home care in the coming months.
