Kieran O'Donnell
Limerick City · Fine Gael · Ireland
“The triangle of supports of home care, day care and meals on wheels services — including dementia-specific supports — plays a vital role in helping older people to age well in their own communities. Meals on wheels services provide much more than nutritious meals.”
“The organisation currently operates a day care service four days per week, supporting approximately 60 registered users, and a meals on wheels service with 104 registered users. The HSE has advised that increased funding has been committed to support the organisation.”
“I join the Leas-Chathaoirleach in welcoming the Kellehers to the Seanad, which is a beautiful building in its own right. I thank Senator Kelleher for raising this important matter. He has advocated for Westgate Foundation over a sustained period of time and that has to be acknowledged. I know the work it does is close to his heart.”
“I again thank the Senator for raising Westgate Foundation in Ballincollig and the work it does on behalf of the community, particularly older people. The Senator referred to housing on-site. It is very much an integrated model. I could see how committed the staff and the board, many of them voluntary, were.”
“The Government has significantly increased investment in meals on wheels services in recent years. Funding increased from €3.5 million in 2022 to €6.25 million in 2025, with a further €2 million allocated in budget 2026 to support service expansion and maintenance.”
“The shared objective of the HSE and Westgate Foundation is to ensure high-quality day care and meals on wheels services continue to be available to older people who rely on them, particularly in the greater Ballincollig area.”
The complete record
Every one of 1,420 lines we hold for Kieran O'Donnell, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 12 of 29.
“It would divert existing resources and personnel from addressing other water quality and local government issues in the Boyne catchment and would add an additional layer of administration and bureaucracy for the bodies and agencies that currently operate in the catchment. While I welcome and acknowledge the commitment and ambition to protect the River Boyne, the Government has already ensured mechanisms are in place that will accomplish much of what is proposed under the proposed Bill. Since this Bill was put on the Order Paper, a new and revised river basin management plan, the Water Action Plan 2024, has been launched and is currently being implemented through a range of public authorities overseen by the programme delivery office in the Department.”
“I am taking this debate on behalf of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Browne. I acknowledge the Bill brought forward by Deputy Nash. The principal purpose of the Bill, as outlined in the explanatory memorandum, is to establish a new body, within the current local and regional government framework with specific responsibilities for the River Boyne and its catchment area. However, after careful consideration, the Government has decided it will oppose this Bill. Regarding the public interest, the Bill, if enacted, would be counterproductive to the work already being undertaken or planned for the River Boyne and its catchment.”
“Other specific actions beyond the derelict property tax announced in the budget include the provision of a digital national derelict sites register, an increased number of properties on the derelict sites register, increased compulsory acquisition of properties where owners have failed to engage with local authorities and increased collection of unpaid derelict sites. I will ask the Department to seek an update on the point the Deputy raised. Obviously, the councils are independent in the way they function in this area, but I will ask the Department of housing to seek an update from Galway County Council on this particular issue.”
“I assure the Deputy that it is committed to this through a range of measures and with the support of all key stakeholders, including local authorities. By strengthening compulsory purchase powers, activating the derelict sites levy and the proposed introduction of the derelict property tax alongside providing targeted funds and supports for regeneration through local authorities, we are shifting from isolated interventions to a whole-of-government approach. Crucially, these measures are designed not only to incentivise action but to ensure accountability. Furthermore, the new recently published national housing action plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities, builds on existing measures and programmes to tackle dereliction.”
“Once again, I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue and giving me the opportunity to give an update on behalf of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Browne. As I previously stated, under section 30 of the Planning and Development Act, the Minister with responsibility for planning is precluded from exercising any power of control in relation to a particular case with which the planning authority, An Coimisiún Pleanála, is or may be concerned. In addition, in accordance with section 63 of the Local Government Act, local authorities are independent in the performance of their duties. As I said previously, the Government is committed to tackling vacancy and dereliction.”
“THRIVE provides funding for the preparation of Town Centre First, a co-ordinated, whole-of-government policy framework to proactively address the decline in the health of towns across Ireland and support measures to regenerate and revitalise them. Key elements of the Town Centre First approach are collaborative and plan-led through Town Centre First plans setting out a vision and priority projects, and delivery focused through a town regeneration officers and integrated with national and local government oversight agencies. The package of measures introduced within my Department represents a decisive and co-ordinated response to dereliction across Ireland.”
“It also includes guidance for local authorities to actively use their legislative powers, including under the Derelict Sites Act, to acquire vacant and derelict properties and to use CPO powers where engagement with owners has been unsuccessful. The activation programme works in tandem with URDF call 3. Under the CPO activation programme, targets are set, with local authorities required to identify vacant and derelict properties and record activity and outcomes. I would also like to highlight THRIVE, the town centre first heritage revival scheme, which represents a transformative opportunity for our towns and communities. THRIVE is a €120 million Government initiative, co-funded by the European Union and delivered through our regional assemblies in partnership with my own Department.”
“The Government also amended the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 to include an exemption for the change of use of vacant commercial buildings, including vacant pubs. This exemption has now been extended to the end of 2028. Up to the end of 2024, local authorities received 1,457 notifications from developers intending to avail of the exemptions. If acted on, this would result in 3,429 new homes across the country. A compulsory purchase order, CPO, activation programme was also launched by the Department of housing in April 2023. The programme supports a proactive and systematic approach by local authorities to the reuse of vacant and derelict properties.”
“In addition, the vacant property refurbishment grant provides up to €70,000 in grant support to bring derelict properties back into long-term use as homes. In December, the Minister, Deputy Browne, announced a new enhanced support package of up to €140,000 to bring vacant above-the-shop properties in our cities, towns and villages into use as homes, which will be made available in quarter 1 of this year. This grant may be used in combination with exemptions from the requirement for planning permission for the conversion of certain types of vacant commercial property into residential use, such as living-over-the-shop accommodation, up to a maximum of nine residential units.”
“I assure the Deputy that the Government is committed to addressing these issues through a range of measures and with the support of all key stakeholders, including local authorities. These measures include the provision of vacant homes officers and town regeneration officers in local authorities, the implementation of the vacant homes action plan and related resourcing and funding supports. This funding includes call 3 of the urban regeneration and development fund, which provides a €150 million revolving fund for local authorities to acquire vacant or derelict properties and sites for reuse or sale. The fund is replenished from the proceeds received from the sale or reuse of properties, allowing a rolling fund for each local authority to tackle vacancy and dereliction.”
“I thank Deputy O'Hara for raising this important matter and providing me with an opportunity to update the House on behalf of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy James Browne. It is important to point out that under section 30 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, the Minister with responsibility for planning is precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to any particular case with which a planning authority or An Coimisiún Pleanála is, or may be, concerned. In addition, in accordance with section 63(3) of the Local Government Act 2001, local authorities are independent in the performance of their functions. However, the Government recognises the importance of tackling vacancy and dereliction.”
“We very much understand. Sligo came back in twice and Louth came back once. The message is that the Government is very much committed to giving this extra funding of €30 million. We want to see local authorities spending that money, which will make a real difference to people's lives in their homes.”
“The local authorities are entitled to commit up to 75% of their 2025 allocations for improvement applications to be paid in 2026. There is no reason applications cannot proceed. The funding allocation for 2026 will be announced shortly by the Department. Furthermore, we want to see local authorities spending the money allocated to them. Louth and Sligo came back in for further funding.”
“We hope to be in a position to announce the allocations for 2026 shortly. As I said, we have increased the funding this year by €30 million, a 30% increase, one of largest increases in any spending items, because it is of such importance. Again, it feeds into keeping people living at home independently. Deputy Ó Murchú mentioned particular cases and he might come to me with them. They may involve multiple agencies. However, we have ensured that people on lower incomes are getting 100% of the housing adaptation grant. That was 90% under the old scheme. The housing adaptation grant for disabled people has been increased to €40,000. The housing aid for older people grant has been increased to €10,700. The mobility aids grant is €8,000. This point is worth repeating.”
“The contribution from local authorities has gone from 20% to 15%, which means the contribution from the local authorities has gone down, but the State is contributing that directly. This is a hugely important grant scheme and something the Government has prioritised. The allocation for 2026 is €130 million, which will assist 17,000 people.”
“We look to redistribute to local authorities that are spending. Louth and Sligo both fall into that category. The scheme announced in December made many changes. We increased the income and the grant limits. We brought in increased allowances. I was directly involved in it myself. At the time, I was no longer the Minister of State with responsibility for local government, but I worked on it with officials prior to that point. I, like everyone else, recognise it is hugely important. The disabled persons' grant has been increased to €40,000. The Deputy might provide detail on the specific individual cases and we may be able follow up on those. The core point is that we have increased the funding. There is a 30% increase this year.”
“By way of information and to be consistent, I will give Deputy Ó Murchú an indication of the funding for Louth. He did not ask this specifically, but I want it to be consistent with the information for Sligo. During 2025, my Department considered and approved an additional funding allocation of €150,000 for Louth County Council, bringing its total allocation to €2.8 million for 2025. Louth County Council drew down this allocation in full. The total funding drawdowns by local authorities will be available on my Department's website shortly. I say to Deputy Scanlon that there were two requests for additional funding from Sligo County Council. They were both approved and the full amounts on both occasions were spent. Some local authorities are not spending their full allocation. That is something I am conscious of.”
“This additional €30 million in funding is in line with commitments in the programme for Government, Securing Ireland's Future and Delivering Homes, Building Communities, and ensures the continued year-on-year increases in funding for the grant scheme since 2014. My Department will issue notification shortly of each local authority's allocation for 2026 under the scheme. Importantly, all local authorities can commit up to 75% of their 2025 allocation when approving applications to be paid in 2026, ensuring a seamless transition of the schemes remaining open from year to year.”
“My Department advises local authorities annually that, as far as practicable, a percentage of the allocation under the schemes should be ring-fenced in respect of any emergency applications which might arise under these schemes during the course of the year. Budget 2026 provides an increase of €30 million for the scheme, with almost €130 million in Exchequer funding available for the scheme, or over €152 million when accounting for the local authority contribution. This significant increase in funding will support the payment of some 17,000 grant claims as well as the continued implementation of the revised grant limits, the income thresholds and the increase in the Exchequer contribution from 80% to 85%.”
“During 2025, my Department considered and approved two additional funding allocations totalling €453,670 from Sligo County Council, bringing the total Exchequer allocation for 2025 to over €2.24 million. The total funding drawn down by local authorities in 2025 will be available on my Department's website shortly. While additional Exchequer funding may become available, the local authorities must provide the match funding from their own resources and therefore the local authorities are also managing the scheme within the resources allocated at the local level. Local authorities now contribute 15% in conjunction with the 85% Exchequer allocation, compared to the previous higher percentage of 20%. This reduction in local authority contribution is one of the reforms implemented under the revised scheme introduced on 1 December 2024.”
“Sligo County Council received an Exchequer allocation of almost €1.8 million, an increase of 35% on the original allocation in 2024. My Department works closely with local authorities to monitor spend and to achieve a full drawdown of available funding. This means that any underspends that arise on the part of any local authority can be redistributed to other authorities with high levels of grant activity. My Department makes every effort to redistribute such funding throughout the year. If a local authority requires additional funding in any year, it can submit details to my Department in order to be considered for increased funding, subject to availability from savings in other local authorities.”
“I propose to take Questions Nos. 143 and 156 together. My Department provides funding under the suite of housing adaptation grants for older people and disabled people to assist those in private houses to make their accommodation more suitable for their needs. This suite of grants, which include the housing adaptation grant for disabled people, the mobility aids grant and the housing aid for older people grant, are funded by my Department with a contribution from the local authority. The detailed administration of the scheme, including assessment, approval, prioritisation and apportionment, is the responsibility of local authorities. The Exchequer funding available for these grants in 2025 was increased substantially by €25 million to €99.5 million, or over €117 million when accounting for the local authority contribution.”
“I very much look forward to the opening of the new 58-bed community nursing unit for the people of Laois and Offaly. I met with the HSE yesterday about a number of community nursing home facilities. I raised a particular issue in respect of a second phase at St. Vincent's. I asked directly about the scoping exercise the HSE will do in respect of the existing building. I look forward to seeing Deputy Stanley, all the public representatives, and more particularly the residents in St. Vincent's when we open the new community nursing home facility on the St. Vincent's campus.”
“I very much appreciate and welcome the Deputy's kind comments on what will be the new state-of-the-art building for residents. To put it in context, phase 1 of the St. Vincent's development is substantially completed, with the new unit currently being equipped. The HSE is committed to further development on the St. Vincent's campus. A scoping exercise is under way in conjunction with a local needs assessment to determine the future requirements for the people of Laois and Offaly. Areas for consideration include step-down beds, short-stay and long-stay beds, rehab beds, dementia-specific beds and respite beds. I will bring back to the HSE the particular points Deputy Stanley makes. Further developments will take place on the campus but phase 1 is virtually complete.”
“Future uses of St Anne's ward will form part of the assessment in respect of the future use of St. Vincent's campus. The scale and scope of future additional phasing of capital works at St. Vincent's is currently being reviewed by the HSE, and once completed, the specific scope for phase 2 of the capital project will be determined.”
“St. Vincent's Community Nursing Unit, CNU, Mountmellick, County Laois, is a public nursing home that currently provides 56 long-stay beds and one short-stay bed. Phase 1 of the current capital project at St. Vincent's is substantially complete and consists of a new two-storey development containing 50 single en suite rooms, adjacent and linked to the existing facility. When complete, St. Vincent's will be registered for 58 beds, which includes the eight-bed dementia unit in the existing building, which will continue to operate. HSE older persons services is currently in the initiation phase of project planning for the utilisation of the old building, taking account of the demand for additional rehab and long and short-stay beds in the CNU. The current residents in St. Anne's ward will transfer to the new building.”
“I thank all Members for their very comprehensive contributions tonight. I look forward to continuing to work with them on the legislation.”
“I hope a resolution can be arrived at. Ultimately, this is all about getting to a point where we can put in place a statutory home care scheme in Ireland. This is something the Government and I are utterly committed to, but to get to that point we must regulate the sector. We have had a very constructive debate here tonight. We will continue to work through the legislation. I welcome further ideas or amendments from Members on Committee Stage when the Bill proceeds to that Stage. The single most important point is that we have now published a Bill to regulate the home care providers sector, which will involve independent regulation of the delivery of the service. I believe this will greatly enhance both the safety, quality and consistency of the home support service delivered the length and breadth of Ireland.”
“Regardless of where someone lives, I want to ensure the quality and safety of the level of service that is provided to the public. That is something that is hugely important. Many of the speakers in the House today have worked in this sector, and that came across. I very much take on board what was said. No one has a monopoly on knowledge in this area. I very much want to work with colleagues to improve all aspects of the home care service. The issue we are debating today relates to the regulation of the sector, which is the first step in the roll-out of a statutory home care scheme. Other issues that were raised include the work healthcare assistants do. That is hugely important. I very much value that. Members have raised particular issues that currently arise. My understanding is that the HSE is engaging on those aspects.”
“I want to get the Bill through. I will work with Members, both here and in the Seanad, to get this legislation through as quickly as possible. I am committed to working with the officials and my Government colleagues to progress the design of a statutory home care scheme. It is an absolute priority, but it must be built on a process. As it stands at the moment, the sector is not regulated. I want to see the home care providers sector regulated. We owe that to the people to whom they deliver the service. The Bill is welcomed by the sector itself. It is something I want to work with it on to ensure we get it up and running as quickly as possible. The other issues that were raised by Members relate to their own areas and regions. That is something we will take up and work on with the HSE.”
“I am in continuous engagement with officials in the Department and the HSE on the issues that arise in respect of the current home care service that is delivered. I will continue to engage with them on the particular points Members have raised today. These are matters I will take up with the HSE in terms of the delivery of the service. We want to get value for money. We want to look after people that are in receipt of the home support service. It is something that I will continue to work on. Regulation is hugely important. We committed in the programme for Government to design a statutory home care service in the lifetime of this Government. When I came into the brief I looked at it in great depth with the officials. The first step in doing that is to regulate the home care providers, which we are doing with this Bill.”
“It is important that Members are aware that the legislation is to regulate home care providers, regardless of whether they are in the public, private or voluntary sector. That is going to bring about an increase in the quality, safety and consistency of service delivered throughout the length and breadth of Ireland. It is also important to note that this year alone we are looking at 1.7 million additional home care hours. Since 2020 we have increased from 17 million hours to 30.6 million hours. This year there are 26.7 million hours for older person's services and 3.9 million hours for disability services. I am conscious that, like me, Members here represent people the length and breadth of Ireland.”
“Depending on the outcome of that, we will look at amendments if the review group wishes to bring them forward but we want to respect the integrity of the PA service. It is hugely important. We want to allow the PA review group under the Department of children to do its work within the HSE. The three or less clients provision is included in the Bill because it is proportionate. It was in the general scheme and we want to ensure it is proportionate. This is all about improving the service. Deputy John McGuinness raised the funding model. Based on the regulatory impact that was done, it was estimated that the cost would be €1.1 million over the first three years for HIQA to be able to bring in the legislation and the process itself. We will engage with the sector on the regulation of costs. We are conscious of that issue.”
“I want to see the safeguarding legislation coming forward as quickly as possible. It is something I am absolutely committed to doing. People made reference to consent for the under-18s. The under-18s are now included in the Bill. They were not included in the general scheme. There was a discussion with the Department of children and they are now included. We will be bringing forward amendments around the whole consent area for people under 18 years of age. That is a very important point. The other issue was the personal assistance, PA, exemption. It was exempted under the general scheme. It continues to be but there is work ongoing by the PA review group under the Department of children. We want to respect the work it is doing.”
“I want to deal with family carers. Deputy John McGuinness referenced this and brought it up last week. The Revenue Commissioners have said today that they will not in any way be looking at previous years. That is to be welcomed. I want to put on record the fantastic work that family carers do. It is acknowledged and respected. They do phenomenal work for their families and loved ones. Hopefully the measure today from Revenue will bring reassurance in that area. Deputy Newsome Drennan made reference to the adult safeguarding legislation. At the end of last year, for the first time ever, we brought out the first national adult safeguarding policy. Legislation is being prepared and I want to bring it forward as quickly as possible. It was a priority for me as well as the home care providers legislation.”
“I thank the Members for their contributions. There were 27 contributors in total and they spoke on a range of aspects of this issue. I welcome the general support for the Bill in terms of regulation. To recap, the objective of the proposed legislation is to improve the safety and quality of support services by ensuring that registered home support providers do not operate below the standards set by ministerial regulations and that those regulations are provided in a consistent and systematic way. Before getting a registration, providers must satisfy the chief inspector of social services that they can comply with these regulations and other requirements under the legislation. In the limited time I have, I want to go through a number of the points that were raised by TDs. Deputy Newsome Drennan brought up a number of points.”
“The most significant of these relate to necessary enhancements of consent provisions to reflect the more recent policy change to include home support services provided to under-18s within the scope of the Bill. This legislation is the major first step towards designing a statutory home care scheme. The establishment of a regulatory framework for home support providers will act to provide new protections for service users and will raise the safety, quality and consistency of care nationally. I look forward to the contributions of Deputies and to working with all Members of Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann to progress this important legislation through both Houses of the Oireachtas.”
“Section 21 provides the Minister for Health, in consultation with the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality as appropriate, to make regulations for home support providers to ensure proper standards in relation to the home support services they provide. Section 22 inserts a new section 101C into the principal Act providing the Minister for Health with regulation-making powers to prescribe the collection, sharing and publication of data regarding registered home support providers. Regulations will determine the type of data to be collected, shared and published and the frequency of the submission and sharing of information. It will be necessary to introduce a small number of Government amendments, including technical amendments, as the Bill makes its way through the Houses of the Oireachtas.”
“Registered home support providers will have the right to make an appeal to the District Court within 14 days. Section 18 requires the chief inspector to maintain a non-compliance list of providers on whom a fine or penalty has been imposed. Section 19 amends section 79 of the principal Act providing for offences for home support providers. Section 20 amends section 99 of the principal Act providing the Minister for Health, in consultation with the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality as appropriate, to make regulations relating to the registration of home support providers under the Act.”
“Section 15 provides for the inclusion of a reference to home support providers in relation to the further circumstances in which the District Court may issue a warrant. Section 16 provides that HIQA may prepare and publish reports relating to the monitoring of compliance and standards by registered home support providers, and the manner in which those reports should be prepared. Section 17 provides for the serving of compliance notices on registered home support providers. Under this amendment, where the chief inspector is satisfied that a registered home support provider has contravened a relevant provision of legislation, he or she may issue a compliance notice. A registered home support provider who fails to comply with the compliance notice by the date specified in the notice shall be guilty of an offence and liable to prosecution.”
“Section 12 provides that if the chief inspector has reasonable grounds to believe that the business of a home support provider is being carried out on a premises which is not registered, the chief inspector may enter the premises to inspect it. Section 13 provides for the District Court to issue a warrant to authorise the chief inspector entry to premises where the chief inspector suspects the business of a home support provider is being carried out, if required. Section 14 provides the inclusion in the definition of dwelling of any part of the business premises of a registered home support provider that is occupied as a private residence by that person or a member of staff of the provider.”
“Section 10 provides for the HSE to appoint persons to examine business premises of a home support provider that is providing service on behalf of the HSE. A person appointed under this section will be authorised to enter any business premises of the home support provider and examine any records relating to the service and interview any employees of the provider. Section 11 provides the right of entry and inspection by the chief inspector to the business premises used or proposed to be used by a home support provider or the private dwelling of a service user where a home support service is provided with the consent of the service user concerned.”
“Section 69ZA provides that where a registered home support provider ceases to carry on its business, the chief inspector will make a note in the appropriate register and cancel the registration of the provider. Section 69ZB provides that where a person is appointed by or under law to take charge of the business of a registered home support provider, that person is to notify the chief inspector as soon as practicable and no later than 48 hours after the appointment. Section 69ZC provides for the notifications by the chief inspector relating to certain home support providers. Section 69ZD provides for transitional arrangements for persons providing a home support service immediately before this Bill comes into operation.”
“Section 69W provides for the submission of information to the chief inspector by registered home support providers. Section 69X provides for the collection of key data from registered home support providers, the sharing of information with the Minister and public bodies, such as HIQA and the HSE, and the publication of this data in aggregate form by the chief inspector. Section 69Y provides that a registered home support provider shall not submit false or misleading information to the chief inspector under sections 69W or 69X. Section 69Z provides that where a registered home support provider decides to cease to carry on the business of a home support service, they are to notify the chief inspector of the date in which they are to cease operating in accordance with the timeline set out under regulations.”
“Section 69R provides for the chief inspector to seek a District Court order where they believe there is a serious risk to a service user due to the actions of a registered home support provider or person acting on their behalf. Section 69S provides for the chief inspector to make an application under section 69R as an ex parte interim order. Section 69T provides for a final determination of matters dealt with in an ex parte interim order under section 69R. Section 69U provides that an appeal of a District Court decision under section 69N lies to the Circuit Court. Section 69V provides that the chief inspector is a party to any court proceeding taken under this Part of the principal Act and is entitled to appear, be heard, adduce or give evidence.”
“Section 69N provides for when the chief inspector proposes to make certain decisions where the home support service is provided or proposed to be provided by an applicant or a registered home support providers from more than one business premises and a single application has been made for registration. Section 69O provides for required and prohibited conduct for registered home support providers. Section 69P provides for the appeals process from a decision of the chief inspector regarding an application for registration. Section 69Q provides for the chief inspector to seek a District Court order enforcing certain decisions under sections 69G, 69J, and 69H.”
“Section 69L provides that an applicant or registered home support provider, as appropriate, has 14 days after a notice is given of a proposed decision of the chief inspector under section 69J to make a written representation to the chief inspector concerning the proposal. Section 69M provides that the chief inspector is to give written notice to an applicant or registered provider of a decision to refuse or grant an application, to cancel a registration, remove or vary a condition or attach additional condition or to remove a condition of a registration.”
“Section 69I provides that the chief inspector may remove a condition attached to a registered home support provider's registration where they deem it is appropriate and will not adversely affect a service user receiving support from that provider. Section 69J provides that a registered home support provider may apply to the chief inspector for the variation or removal of any condition that has been placed on their registration. Section 69K provides for notices to be issued by the chief inspector to an applicant or a registered home support provider, as appropriate, in respect of a proposed decisions to an application submitted under sections 69E and 69J.”
“Section 69D provides for a prohibition on making false or misleading statements in a material respect when applying for registration or renewal of registration. Section 69E provides for the application process for a person seeking to register or renew the registration of a home support provider. Section 69F provides for the establishment of a register of home support providers. Section 69G provides for the grant or refusal of the registration of a home support provider. Section 69H provides for grounds under which the chief inspector can cancel, vary or remove a condition, or attach an additional condition to a registration of a home support provider.”
“Section 8 expands the functions of the chief inspector to establish and maintain a register of home support providers, collect key data in relation to home support providers, inspect premises where he or she suspects the business of a home support service is being carried out, and register and inspect home support providers against both ministerial regulations and HIQA standards. Section 9 inserts a new part, Part 8A, to the principal Act to provide for the registration of home support providers through the insertion of 29 new sections, Nos. 69B to 69ZD. Section 69B provides for the definition of key terms used in Part 8A and provides for exemptions to the requirement to register as a home support provider. Section 69C provides for a prohibition on carrying out the business of a home support service without being registered.”