Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 January 2026
2291. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Health the home care and home support services and service providers that are intended to be regulated under forthcoming legislation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74945/25]
View answerThe Health (Amendment) (Home Support Providers) Bill 2025 has been approved by Cabinet and was published on December 22 2025. The Bill will introduce, for the first time, the registration and regulation by HIQA and the Chief Inspector of Social Services of all of public, private and voluntary home support providers in Ireland.
The objective of the proposed registration system is to improve the safety and quality of home support services. It will ensure that registered home support providers do not operate below the standard set by Ministerial regulations. The new system of regulation for home support providers will ensure that the public can be confident that the services provided are of a high standards and will bring Ireland in line with best international practice.
The Bill is currently being scheduled for presentation to the Oireachtas, with a view to enactment in early 2026. After the Bill has been enacted, the Department will continue to work with HIQA, and in consultation with the sector, on the legal drafting of the secondary legislation (the regulations).
Further details on what constitutes a home support service and a home support provider, as well as exemption to the requirement to register, are set out under Section 69B of the published Bill.
