The Health Services Executive (HSE) is to review the deaths of all patients at the controversial Leas Cross nursing home in north Co Dublin.
The review is to be carried out by a professor of geriatric medicine, according to Minister of State for Health Seán Power, who was answering a parliamentary question from Fine Gael TD Fergus O'Dowd.
"The executive has informed the Department that the HSE Northern Area has made arrangements to review all deaths both of residents at Leas Cross or on immediate transfer to acute hospitals," Mr Power said in the written answer.
"This will involve a review of the medical/nursing files in the first instance."
Mr O'Dowd welcomed the "significant move" but said the Tánaiste and Minister for Health Mary Harney "must now answer my questions concerning the seven nursing homes in Dublin which were rejected by HSE Inspectors as unsuitable for the transfer of Leas Cross Residents."
"I am still waiting for replies to my Dáil questions on this issue, and the Tánaiste must provide an immediate explanation.
I am also extremely concerned that the VHI still includes Leas Cross on its list of approved nursing homes," he said.
Last month, Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny told the Dáil an unusually high mortality rate at Leas Cross was highlighted in a report drawn up by the former head of the Blood Service, Martin Hynes. The Taoiseach confirmed the draft Hynes report had been received last autumn.
