Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 July 2026
455. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the reasons a review (details supplied) into the effectiveness of Ireland's nursing home regulatory and inspection framework was not published until 2 July 2026; if she or the Minister of State for Older People made the decision not to publish it until July; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52488/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraPoor care, mistreatment, neglect or any form of abuse of a person living in a long-term residential care setting is completely unacceptable.
The Forvis Mazars review was initiated by the Minister for Health and I, as the Minister of State for Older People and Housing following the RTÉ Investigates programme broadcast in June 2025, which highlighted serious concerns relating to care, staffing and oversight in a number of nursing homes.
At the outset of the review, publication was anticipated during the first quarter of 2026. However, given the scale and complexity of the review, including the detailed examination of HIQA's inspection and monitoring processes and engagement with a wide range of stakeholders, the review process continued beyond the original indicative timeframe. This report was received by the Minister for Health and I on the 9th of June 2026.
On 2nd July 2026, HIQA published the independent review of its nursing home regulatory inspection and monitoring processes, undertaken by Forvis Mazars and this is publicly available to view on the HIQA website. The Minister for Health and I welcome the publication of this independent review. The findings and recommendations of the review will now be considered in detail alongside ongoing policy, regulatory and legislative reforms aimed at strengthening governance, safeguarding and quality across long-term residential care settings. Ann implementation plan is now being developed.
As HIQA is an independent statutory body, any queries regarding its operational functions, inspection activities or published reports are therefore best addressed directly to the HIQA Board.
The health, safety and wellbeing of nursing home residents is of paramount importance to the Government.
