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.”
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“I thank Deputy Burke for raising this important matter. I know his keen interest in this area. I welcome the ESRI report on future capacity requirements in older people's care, which was published on 30 June and encompasses residential care for older people and home support. The analysis in the ESRI report utilises the Hippocrates model to update baseline estimates of demand in 2022 for residential care, both long term and short term, and projects demand and capacity for these services out to 2040. The ESRI report projects that the number of residential beds, both long term and short term, will need to increase by at least 60% by 2040. The Deputy referred to the findings of the ESRI report too.”
“The agreement also allows for future adjustments in line with any successor public service pay deals. There will be a data gathering exercise to support the application of low pay provisions in the future. The data gathering exercise will provide a basis for examining the application of the low pay provisions in future public service pay agreements to the funding for non-public service organisations. The public service agreement provides that minimum increases are attached to four of the seven general round increases provided over the two and a half year period covered by the agreement. This is a significant step in recognising the contribution of workers in the sector, ensuring the sustainability of the services they provide.”
“This year, agreement was reached following discussions led by the Department of Children, Disability and Equality at the WRC. This agreement addressed the funding required to move the pay of such workers in line with current and future public service pay agreements while responding to the fact that such workers are not public servants or employees. This agreement provides for an increase in funding of 9.25% on a phased basis and runs until 31 October 2026. This is in line with the general round increases provided for in the Public Service Agreement 2024-2026. The agreement provides that funding will be adjusted to allow for the application of the equivalent general round pay adjustments as provided for in any successor agreement. Adjustment will be in line with the phasing of any future public service sector pay agreement.”
“I again thank the Deputy for raising this important matter. As I have stated, I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister for public expenditure and reform, Deputy Chambers. Given how diligent Deputy McGrath is, I have no doubt he has already taken the matter up with the Minister. I ask him to outline the specific circumstances to the Minister directly following the debate. As I mentioned, the community and voluntary sector plays a vital role in delivering essential public services across Ireland. These organisations, while funded by the State, are not public service bodies and their staff are not public servants. Their pay and conditions are set by their employers and not through public service agreements. I acknowledge these organisations do great work.”
“The agreement provides for an increase in funding of 9.25% on a phased basis and runs to 31 October 2026. This is in line with the general round increases provided for in the Public Service Agreement 2024-2026. The agreement provides that funding will be adjusted to allow for the application of equivalent general round pay adjustments as provided for in any successor agreement to the Public Service Agreement 2024-2026. In addition, the adjustment will be in line with the phasing of any future public service pay agreements. The agreement reached was accepted by union members in these organisations. It also provides for a data gathering exercise to allow for the application of the low pay provisions in future public service pay agreements for the funding of these organisations.”
“The agreement reached provided for further engagement that would have regard to building momentum and other public service pay agreements. This year, agreement was reached on 10 March at the WRC following talks led by the Department of Children, Disability and Equality on the management side with unions representing sections 39, 56 and 10 workers. This agreement set out that funding would be made available to provide for an increase of 9.25% on a phased basis between 1 October 2024 and 1 October 2026. This agreement was accepted in a ballot of union members. The agreement addresses the funding required to move the pay of such workers in line with current and future public service pay agreements, while respecting the fact that such workers are not public service employees.”
“Section 56 bodies receive funding from Tusla, through the Department of Children, Disability and Equality, for child and family services under section 56 of the Child and Family Agency Act 2013. Section 10 bodies receive funding from local authorities for homeless accommodation and related services under section 10 of the Housing Act 1988. In October 2023, unions representing workers employed by organisations grant funded in line with section 39 of the Health Act 2004, section 56 of the Children and Family Agency Act 2013 and section 10 of the Housing Act 1988 secured agreement at the WRC for an increase in funding for these organisations, which would allow them to provide for an 8% increase in pay to their employees. The last increase under this agreement was 3% paid on 1 March 2024.”
“The level of State funding received by these organisations, and the extent to which it is supplemented by other sources, such as philanthropy or fundraising, varies significantly from one organisation to another. For many organisations in the sector, the majority of their funding ultimately comes from the State. They do great work. Generally, this funding is used to service payroll and other organisational costs. These organisations include section 39 bodies, which receive grant funding from the HSE through the Departments of Health, and Children, Disability and Equality to provide health and disability services under section 39 of the Health Act 2004.”
“I thank the Deputy for raising this important matter. I am taking this Topical Issue on behalf of the Minister for public expenditure and reform, Jack Chambers TD. The community and voluntary sector plays a vital role in delivering public services across Ireland. Various organisations in the community and voluntary sector are contracted to provide services on behalf of the State and are provided with funding for this purpose. These organisations are not public service bodies, nor are they employees of these organisation public servants. Accordingly, their terms and conditions, including remuneration, are a matter for the individual employers and employees as part of the employment relationship. The number of staff employed in the community and voluntary sector as a whole is difficult to determine but it is estimated to be up to 100,000.”
“The updated scientific and economic analysis from the Marine Institute and Bord Iascaigh Mhara will be factored into any decision. It takes time to get it right. I must stress that given the history of litigation in respect of the previous policy directive, it is vital that all necessary procedural and legal steps are taken before any final decision is made. I take this opportunity to emphasise that this matter is of the utmost importance to this Government. I assure the Deputy that my Department is doing everything to progress this as expeditiously as possible.”
“I again thank the Deputy for raising this important matter. As I already stated, I am taking it on the behalf of the Minister of State, Deputy Dooley, who will be in direct contact with the Deputy in the coming days. He would like to have been here to take the debate in his capacity as the Minister of State with responsibility for this area but had a prior arrangement to meet the minister for fisheries in the UK. This Government is fully committed to maintaining support for the important inshore fishing sector and promoting the sustainability of fishing stocks as outlined in the programme for Government. The review of trawling policy inside six nautical miles is ongoing. The 5,500 submissions received are being given due consideration.”
“Some 5,500 submissions were received, which was more than six times greater than the submissions received during the 2018 consultation, further highlighting the increased public interest in the matter. These submissions will be used to inform a review of trawling activity inside the six nautical mile zone and baselines. The sheer volume of detailed submissions takes time to collate and fully analyse. All relevant issues will be carefully considered before a decision can be made. Given the history of litigation in respect of this matter, it is critical that all of the necessary procedural and legal steps are taken before any final decision is made. I reiterate that the Minister of State, Deputy Dooley, sends his apologies. He is in the UK to meet the fisheries minister. He would have liked to have taken this debate.”
“Therefore, up-to-date scientific and economic advice was sought from the Marine Institute and Bord Iascaigh Mhara, respectively, on trawling in the waters inside six nautical miles and the baselines prior to public consultation. The consultation opened in February 2024 and took place over a period of eight weeks, closing in April 2024. The consultation took place without prejudice. The Minister is conscious of the dependence of our onshore fleet, compared with larger vessels, on fishing resources within the six nautical mile zone. The policy context has changed since 2018. The Minister encouraged all interested parties to read the consultation documents and to reflect on them when making any submissions. The volume of submissions received during the new 2024 consultation was considerable, as the Deputy has already alluded to.”
“Following the final judgment of the Court of Appeal in this matter in 2023, where the applicants succeeded on the narrowest of grounds, policy directive No. 1 of 2019 was quashed and no longer has legal effect. On the basis of legal advice received in respect of next steps, the then Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine decided to proceed anew with a public consultation on a review of trawling activity inside the six-nautical mile zone and the baselines. The purpose of the consultation was to invite stakeholders and interested parties to advise of their views on any potential changes to policy within the scope of this review. Due to the lengthy legal proceedings, it had been more than five years since the original scientific and economic advice was compiled.”
“In December 2018, the then Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine announced that vessels measuring more than 18 m would be excluded from trawling in inshore waters inside the six-nautical mile zone and the baselines from 1 January 2020. A transition period for vessels of more than 18 m targeting sprat was allowed to enable adjustment for these vessels, as the sprat fishery is concentrated inside the six-nautical mile zone. Policy directive No. 1 of 2019 was issued by the Minister to the independent licensing authority for sea fishing boats to give effect to these measures. This decision to exclude vessels of more than 18 m from trawling inside the six nautical miles was the subject of extended legal proceedings further to a judicial review to the High Court taken by two applicant fishermen challenging the validity of the policy.”
“I thank Deputy Connolly for raising this issue, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister of State, Deputy Dooley. I was speaking to him this morning in advance of the debate. He sends his apologies. He has to attend a meeting with the UK fisheries minister this morning. He will be in direct contact with the Deputy in the coming days on the matter. I hope that provides some level of reassurance. I will deal with the answer now, but at the top, it was important to make that point. I stress that the Government is fully committed to maintaining support for our important inshore fishing sector and promoting the sustainability of fish stocks, as outlined in our programme for Government. The Deputy has already covered much of this background, but she will appreciate that I want to read it into the record.”
“The funding for libraries comes from the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht's library capital programme. I expect the Senator has been in contact with both Departments to discuss the funding for both of those projects. The Senator might follow up with them again and then revert to the Department regarding the situation with the public realm works. I will bring the issues raised back to the Minister, Deputy Browne, but the Senator might also follow up in his own way with the Department too.”
“However, in relation to the proposed library project, given that the main source of funding for libraries is provided by the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht's library capital programme, the Senator may wish to engage with that Department or the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport regarding the River Bank Arts Centre. I understand that the Senator wants to get the work on the River Bank Arts Centre and Newbridge library done concurrently. The funding for both of those projects, as the Senator will be aware, comes from the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport. It provides a contribution towards securing and enhancing existing arts and cultural facilities under the cultural capital scheme.”
“Once again, I thank Senator O'Loughlin for raising this important matter, which I am talking on behalf of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy James Browne. I understand how genuine Senator O'Loughlin is on this matter. In line with the programme for Government, there was an intention to expand URDF estimates as part of the towns and cities infrastructure investment fund. Arrangements for the implementation of this funding is still under development and will be clarified further once the NDP review process is complete.”
“In keeping with this aim, the national planning framework was launched in 2018 with committed Exchequer funding of €2 billion. The review of the NDP in 2021 extended the URDF to 2030. To date, Kildare County Council has been provisionally allocated €21,922,032 in URDF support towards its seven successful proposals approved in the first two rounds of the URDF funding allocation. A further €7 million has been allocated towards the third and most recent round of funding, which is supporting a programme of acquisitions in each local authority to address long-term vacancy and dereliction. An interactive GIS story map site containing details of all the successful projects under call 1 and call 2 provide members of the public access to up-to-date information on the URDF-supported projects at local authority level.”
“These technical assistance and design works, all of which have now been completed, outline plans for better linkages along Newbridge Main Street through an approved public realm between the River Liffey linear park, the county library and the Riverbank Arts Centre, which the Senator has name-checked. The intention of the funding was to allow Kildare County Council to provide a proof of concept on these projects, bringing them through various stages of design and planning and having them ready for submission under appropriate funding schemes as they subsequently arise. A flagship of Project Ireland 2040, the URDF is targeted to support the regeneration and rejuvenation of our cities and key towns, such as Newbridge.”
“Notwithstanding all of this, under call 1 of my Department's urban regeneration development fund, URDF, dating back to 2018, Kildare County Council submitted a successful proposal for funding the Newbridge cultural and civic quarter. My Department provided €92,000 in funding towards technical assistance and design work for a number of projects in the proposal. These projects included the design and Part 8 process for the Kildare Central Library and to progress design plans for public realm works on the Newbridge Main Street. They also included funding towards a feasibility study for St. Conleth's Square, which incorporated a proposed climate action centre and a new public space at the rear of the town hall.”
“I thank Senator O'Loughlin for raising this important matter, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy James Browne. I wish to clarify that the provision of library services, including the provision of library buildings, is primarily a matter for local authorities in their capacities as library authorities under the Local Government Act 2001. In addition, the libraries capital programme for the period 2018 to 2027 is the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Rural, Community Development and the Gaeltacht. With regard to the arts centre, while mainly funded by local authorities, the Department of Culture, Communications and Sports currently provides grants as a contribution towards securing and enhancing existing arts and cultural facilities under its cultural capital scheme.”
“We are fortunate to have planning permission in place and we have highly engaged partners in the NDFA and local authorities, which are ready to move at pace. This allows us to move quickly into alternative procurement and delivery strategies that are most cost-effective and efficient. The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has already begun co-ordinated discussions with stakeholders to agree the next steps. We will move swiftly to explore procurement options in innovative construction methods to meet delivery targets in a timely manner. I am confident that with the expertise and commitment across the programme, we will deliver these homes successfully.”
“I thank the Senator again for raising this very important matter, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy James Browne. While the decision not to proceed with the original procurement route for PPP bundle 3 was difficult, it was made in the best interest of value for the Exchequer and long-term programme viability. My Department's responsibility is to ensure that every project we deliver is not only aligned with our social objectives but also financially sustainable and accountable to the public. What remains unchanged is the commitment to delivering these 486 much-needed social homes, including the planned 73 units for Athy, County Kildare.”
“While the original procurement route for PPP bundle 3 will not be pursued, our commitment to delivering these vital homes remains. With strong partnerships already in place and planning approval secured, I believe this alternative strategy will ultimately lead to a successful delivery and a more effective and efficient result for public investment.”
“Meetings are taking place with stakeholders and initial discussions have confirmed a shared urgency and determination to progress these construction projects. Importantly, all four local authorities involved - Dublin City Council, Wicklow, Kildare and Sligo - have already secured full planning permission for the sites in question, representing a total of 486 homes, 73 of which will be delivered in Athy. This is a significant advantage, as it allows us to move straight into revising the delivery mechanism. The focus will be on immediately progressing a new procurement strategy likely to be designed and build public works contracts and the adoption of modern methods of construction, MMC. These approaches not only offer efficiencies in terms of time and cost but also align with our sustainability and quality goals.”
“This decision was not taken lightly. It was driven by concerns about the overall cost of the project, which, upon review, was deemed to be too high to represent the most efficient use of public funds. However, I stress that this is not a withdrawal from our commitment to delivering the homes that bundle 3 was designed to provide, including the site at Ardrew. The Department, in collaboration with the NDFA and the four local authorities involved, remains fully dedicated to ensuring these social housing units are built as soon as possible. Work is already under way to proceed quickly to an alternative procurement and delivery approach. The Department is working with its programme leaders, the NDFA and the relevant local authorities, including Kildare County Council, to ensure there is no loss of momentum.”
“I thank Senator Boyhan for raising this very important matter, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. I am glad to have the opportunity to discuss the future of social housing PPP bundle 3, the individual project at Ardrew in Athy, County Kildare, and the next steps following the recent decision regarding the procurement process. The Government and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage are committed to increasing the supply of new-build social and affordable homes. Increasing the overall housing supply is key to addressing the housing challenge. On 3 June, following a detailed evaluation, the Department made the considered decision not to proceed to contract award for social housing PPP bundle 3 through the existing PPP programme route.”
“Having listened carefully to the points raised by the Senator, I will say that the Government is committed to addressing vacancy. The vacant property refurbishment grant has been successful in this regard, along with the other schemes and measures in place. It is supporting bringing properties back into use as homes and the regeneration of villages, towns and cities. The Senator raised a point in respect of the croí cónaithe cities scheme. I will bring his suggestion back to the Minister and the Department. I suggest that the Senator make a submission to them on the particular issue he has raised, outlining the areas he would like to be looked at. I will follow up on the matter with the Minister and the Department.”
“The exemptions support the reuse of vacant commercial buildings as homes, increasing housing supply and regenerating communities. The Senator raised the croí cónaithe cities scheme. He made reference to a number of issues in terms of expanding the scheme. These are matters I will bring back to the Minister, Deputy Browne, and the Department.”
“For example, where a vacant former shop is adapted to four apartments, a loan of up to €320,000 is available. Refurbishment grant homes are leased to the local authority and the property owner receives a regular income based on market rent, with the loan repaid as a reduction in the lease payment over an agreed term. The scheme is increasingly being used to convert vacant commercial properties into social housing units. Planning exemptions are also available for the conversion of certain commercial properties to residential use. Planning regulations introduced in 2018, which exempted certain vacant commercial premises, including over-the-shop-type spaces, from requiring planning permission to change to residential purposes, were extended to the end of 2025.”
“Under the scheme, there can be a maximum of two grants per property, one for the property that will be the applicant's home and one for a property that will be made available for long-term rent. A comprehensive review of the scheme under the croí cónaithe towns fund was carried out in 2024 and findings and recommendations are being considered. A number of other supports may be used by others to bring vacant and derelict properties into use. The Senator referenced the croí cónaithe towns fund being available nationwide. The repair and lease scheme supports refurbishment of vacant properties for use as social housing. This scheme provides an interest free loan to owners of up to €80,000 for each individual unit completed in a formerly vacant property.”
“We have to welcome anyone from Limerick, so I welcome our visitors. I thank Senator Duffy for raising this important matter. Addressing vacancy and bringing existing properties back into use as homes is a key priority of the Government. I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Browne. A key initiative introduced in 2022 under the croí cónaithe towns fund is the vacant properties refurbishment grant, which provides support of up to €50,000 to refurbish vacant properties and a further €20,000 for derelict properties. Feedback on the grant has been positive. It is making a real difference. At the end of March 2025, more than 12,200 applications had been received by local authorities, more than 8,600 had been approved and 2,096 grants had been paid, totalling more than €112 million.”
“I, as Minister of State with responsibility for older people, the Minister, Deputy Carol MacNeill, and the wider Government are committed to ensuring everything possible is done so that the distressing scenes we witnessed in the recent "RTÉ Investigates" programme do not happen again in any nursing home in the country. I want to state clearly that every nursing home resident deserves and shall expect the highest standard of care. My abiding concern is older people in nursing homes. Everything is about improving care and safety for them.”
“The Government is, therefore, committed to creating new design standards for long-term residential care settings for older people across all sectors, providing a common benchmark against which the standard of these settings can be measured. Statutory home care is a priority for me. I am working on the legislation for home care providers, which will be the first step. I will look to bring it to the Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill, and the wider Government as a matter of priority. We are increasing funding for home care. With regard to the age profile of the population, we have set up the Commission on Care for Older People and it will shortly publish the first module of the work it has done.”
“The programme for Government commits to building more public nursing home beds and, in this context, the Department of Health, alongside the HSE, is developing a new public long-term residential care additional capacity plan, which will be published in 2025. The delivery of additional public long-term residential care capacity will deliver on programme for Government, Sláintecare and Project Ireland 2040 commitments. This plan will be informed by the HSE capacity review report on future capacity for older people, which was published on Monday by the ESRI. We have spoken about the built environment. It is of paramount importance that the built environment and location of long-term residential care settings support high-quality care and positive experiences for our older population.”
“The framework is a systematic evidence-based approach to determine the number of nurses and healthcare assistants required to provide safe and quality care based on patient need. This work is nearing completion, and I expect to receive recommendations for how it can be implemented shortly. Furthermore, in my discussions with HIQA, I have asked it to ensure that, where there is a change in the staff profile in a nursing home, there be a requirement to notify HIQA. This is a very important point. It is a practical measure that can be taken by HIQA. The Government is committed to continued investment in healthcare infrastructure that supports the highest quality of care for our older population. It is recognised that long-term residential care will continue to be a crucial part of the overall continuum of care.”
“The policy will commit to the development of adult safeguarding legislation for the sector, including nursing homes, and will build on the range of existing legislation, policies and procedures already in place in the sector for preventing, reporting and responding to abuse. The policy is at an advanced stage and our intention is to bring it to the Government as a matter of priority. The Government has included a health (adult safeguarding) Bill in its current legislative programme to facilitate this, and it is recognised that this will be an important further development in protecting vulnerable adults from abuse. I would also like to advise the House of ongoing work by the Department of Health to develop a framework for a safe staffing and skill mix for long-term residential care settings for older people.”
“The chief inspector of HIQA will soon have additional powers with regard to serious patient safety incidents in nursing homes when section 68 of the Patient Safety (Notifiable Incidents and Open Disclosure) Act 2023 is commenced. The chief inspector will have the power to carry out a review of an incident that may have caused an unintended or unanticipated death or serious injury to a patient and occurred in the course of the provision of care to that patient. The Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill, and I are fully committed to introducing an adult safeguarding policy for the health and social care sector, including nursing homes.”
“It is, therefore, important that all aspects of the nursing home sector be scrutinised over the coming period to ensure that service delivery and configuration meet the needs of service users in a sustainable and safe manner. This scrutiny includes a review of ownership structures to enhance transparency and strengthen accountability in the long-term residential care sector. Carrying out an evaluation of the implications of complex corporate ownership structures against current regulatory powers will identify the required regulatory reforms. As it stands, HIQA can regulate the individual company that is the service provider but does not have jurisdiction over the parent company or the umbrella group. I want that changed and we will implement that.”
“When people read inspection reports on the HIQA website, they will see not only what happened on the day of the inspection but also what has happened since. When they are looking for a nursing home for their loved ones, they will know what the situation is now. That is very important. I have asked HIQA to implement this and it will do so. It is acknowledged that the nursing home sector has evolved in Ireland over the past 30 years from a predominantly State-led service to a situation today where approximately 80% of nursing home services are provided by the private sector. I am fully aware of the investment trends in the Irish long-term residential care market, the growing consolidation of the sector and the complex investment and ownership structures that now exist. Deputies have referenced that in almost all of the contributions.”
“This review will include such elements as how to further strengthen the monitoring of leadership, culture, governance and management in nursing homes, how to better capture indicators of staff culture and other areas of service delivery that are critical for safe and good quality care for residents. I have requested that, when compliance issues are identified in a nursing home, HIQA monitor more closely the corrective actions taken by the nursing home towards achieving compliance and that this information be included in HIQA's published reports. This makes common sense. When a report is published at present, it deals with what happened on the day of the inspection. I want the report not to deal with the day of the inspection but the compliance actions required to be implemented and whether they were implemented. A report is in real time.”
“The contents and findings of both reports are being considered, including the need for additional regulatory powers in respect of nursing homes, with actions in this regard to be taken as a matter of priority. I cannot emphasise enough that this is an absolute priority for me and the Government. HIQA has acknowledged the importance of examining its processes and methodology. It is essential that they are continually reviewed to find ways to improve the inspection and regulation of nursing homes. HIQA is undertaking a review of the effectiveness of the chief inspector's inspection and monitoring processes.”
“Both providers were issued with an official warning of cancellation of registration should they fail to implement significant improvements in the care of residents. On 20 June, as requested, I received a further report from HIQA giving an overview of the 25 nursing homes in the Emeis Ireland group. The report provides a comprehensive overview of regulatory history, including, but not limited to, regulatory compliance, escalating enforcement actions and any additional conditions of registration. That report was published yesterday. The Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill, and I, together with Department of Health officials, met with HIQA on 17 June and on 30 June to discuss both reports. At those meetings, HIQA advised it is continuing its intensive engagement with the Emeis Ireland group of nursing homes.”
“At the meeting, HIQA's chief inspector confirmed its continuous intensive engagements with the two nursing homes in question. On 13 June, as requested, HIQA furnished me with an interim report on its engagement with the two nursing homes featured in the "RTÉ Investigates" programme. That interim report was published on 17 June. It details HIQA's inspection of the two nursing homes since the programme was broadcast and its ongoing work in this regard. It also provides a brief overview of the Emeis Ireland group. HIQA has completed a series of unannounced inspections of both nursing homes, in the evening, in the early hours of the morning and during the day, to ascertain the level of care being provided at all times.”
“The governance and management of nursing homes is a critical aspect in ensuring the safety and welfare of all residents. Staff must be equipped with the tools and supports they need to provide those in residential care with person-centred care. As the national independent regulator of nursing homes in Ireland, I expect HIQA and its chief inspector to utilise all powers available to them to ensure rigorous oversight and accountability in nursing home care. HIQA's role is to ensure the systems, structures and processes put in place by a nursing home work to ensure safe and effective care and support for those in residential care. Department officials and I met with HIQA on 4 June to discuss regulatory activity relating to the nursing homes featured in the "RTÉ Investigates" programme.”
“Poor care, mistreatment, neglect or any other form of abuse of any person living in a long-term residential care centre is completely unacceptable. I expect the highest standards of care to be upheld by providers for every resident in every nursing home across the country. Anything less than that will simply not be tolerated. I welcome the confirmation that referrals have been made to An Garda Síochána. I have had significant engagement with HIQA and with key stakeholders in the nursing home sector, including the HSE and representative bodies from the sector. I am continuing this engagement with an immediate focus on delivering the highest quality of care to the residents of nursing homes in Ireland. Responsibility for the safety and care of residents ultimately rests with the individual provider of each nursing home and its staff.”
“I am very conscious of the impact the programme will have had on the residents, their families and the staff in the nursing homes featured in the broadcast. I am also conscious of the impact it will have had on the nursing home sector more generally, including residents and staff. It is important to acknowledge, as all speakers have, the committed, compassionate and dedicated providers and care staff operating in nursing homes across the country. Like everyone else watching the programme, I was shocked and deeply concerned at the level of non-compliance with care standards in evidence from the distressing footage that was aired. I again state categorically that every nursing home resident deserves, and should expect, the highest standards of care at all times.”
“I welcome the opportunity to address the House on matters raised in respect of nursing homes in the Private Members' motion tabled by the Labour Party. I do not doubt Members' sincerity in bringing it forward. We all want to get to a point where we have a better, fitter nursing home service for the elderly. I again acknowledge the "RTÉ Investigates" programme that was broadcast on 4 June. That hard-hitting and harrowing programme highlighted a litany of poor care standards in two nursing homes, namely, the Residence Portlaoise and Beneavin Manor in Glasnevin, and showed clear neglect and abuse of older people. The welfare of both the residents and their families was obviously at the forefront of my concerns following the RTÉ programme.”