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Disability Services

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 February 2023

Thursday, 16 February 2023

Questions (155)

Pauline Tully

Question:

155. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the number of announced, short notice announced or unannounced inspections of residential centres for people with disabilities carried out by HIQA in 2021, in tabular form; if he has plans to increase the number of unannounced inspections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7682/23]

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Written answers

The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) is the independent Authority established to drive continuous improvement in Ireland's health and personal social care services, monitor the safety and quality of these services, and promote person-centred care for the benefit of the public.

During 2021, HIQA completed 1,220 inspections of centres for people with disabilities. Of the 1,220 inspections completed in 2021, 16% were announced, 53% were short-notice announced, with the remaining 31% unannounced.

Fieldwork type (2021)

No. inspections

% of inspections

Fieldwork type (2021)

No. inspections

% of inspections

Unannounced

384

31%

Announced

193

16%

Announced (Short Notice)

643

53%

Grand Total

1220

100.00%

The short-notice announced inspections were introduced as a necessary infection prevention and control measure during the pandemic. It is important to note that where there were concerns about potential risk to residents, HIQA also undertook unannounced inspections.

Normally, each centre will receive one announced inspection in a three-year cycle. This announced inspection serves an important purpose in giving residents and relatives notice of the inspection so that they can make arrangements to meet with and speak with inspectors if they wish.

Last year, HIQA incrementally returned to a normalised approach to inspection, as the full impact of the pandemic abated. The information on announced and unannounced inspections for 2022 will be verified and prepared for inclusion in HIQA’s Annual Report to be published in the next few months.

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