Michael Ring
Ceist:1338. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health if he has any plans to change guidelines (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48614/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 7 November 2023
Ceisteanna (1338)
Freagraí scríofa
It became apparent in late August 2022 that a small number of active nursing homes had chosen, or were seriously considering, to convert into accommodation centres for beneficiaries of temporary protection. Other active nursing homes were known to be in official negotiations or to be considering this approach. The Government continues to prioritise the best interests of nursing home residents to ensure that their welfare, care and well-being is ensured. Given the challenges currently being faced in the nursing home sector, and noticing a small trend emerging, Minister Donnelly and I agreed with the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O’Gorman TD, to change the procurement guidelines around accommodation for persons under temporary protection in order to remove from consideration active nursing homes that were still registered operators with HIQA on or after the date of 1 September 2022. Due consideration was given to the potential options, outcomes and unintended consequences of the Department of Health’s position, in response to legitimate concerns for the welfare and safety of nursing home residents. The intention behind this position has been to avoid unintentionally incentivising active nursing homes to leave the market. Former nursing homes that had already ceased operation and were deregistered prior to this date remain unaffected if they wish to enter into contracts as accommodation providers. Following review of the policy at the end of April 2023, the decision has been made to adopt a more flexible approach and to allow the conversion of nursing homes into accommodation centres for international protection applicants and/or beneficiaries of temporary protection after 18 months following deregistration from the Health Information and Quality Agency Chief Inspector’s register. This allows for an appropriate closure process for residents and staff of nursing homes, while preventing facilities from being empty indefinitely where they might provide a source of accommodation for international protection applicants and/or beneficiaries of temporary protection. The Department of Health currently has no plans to review this policy.