New standards of care and welfare for residents of nursing homes were published today.
Under the new standards all public and private nursing homes will be subject to independent inspections by teams attached to the Health Information Quality Authority (Hiqa).
Dr Marion Witton, Hiqa's chief inspector of the Social Services Inspectorate
A set of minimum standards will apply to all residential settings where older people are cared for and that require registration.
They include requirements such as ensuring that a minimum of 50 per cent of care staff have acquired further education or training; that care plans are in place for all residents; and allowing each resident to choose meals and meal times.
The 32 standards are aimed at keeping residents safe from physical, financial, material, psychological or sexual abuse and neglect.
The decision to implement the standards follows on from the Leas Cross scandal, which highlighted widespread abuse of residents at the north Dublin nursing home.
Hiqa's chief inspector of the Social Services Inspectorate, Dr Marion Witton, will be responsible for enforcing the new standards.
Eamon Timmins, Age Action Ireland
Speaking in Dublin this morning, Dr Witton said: "The standards have been developed to promote good practice. The new system of registration and inspection will provide a rigorous process to drive improvements in the quality of care.
"The registration and inspection process will also be a deterrent to unqualified or inappropriate people establishing residential care homes," she added.
The Health Service Executive welcomed the publication of the standards this afternoon, which it said will improve the quality of life of older people in residential care.
Eamon Timmins of Age Action Ireland said the new standards would set the benchmark for a quality safe service for older people.
"For the first time older people and their families will know what to expect from a nursing home," said Mr Timmins.
"The existence of a properly resourced inspectorate should result in an improvement in the quality of care being provided," he added.
However, Age Action warned that strict enforcement of the standards and continuous training and supervision of staff are "very important" if another Leas Cross is to be avoided.
Speaking on RTÉ radio this morning Tadhg Daly, chief executive of Nursing Homes Ireland, which represents over 270 nursing homes, welcomed the standards, although he raise concerns about the cost of introducing them for providers.
"We welcome confirmation by Minister Harney that the Department of Health and Children will undertake a regular impact analysis. It's fair to say that regulations, no matter what sector, will have an increase in the cost both to the provider and also for those in our care," said Mr Daly.
