asked the Minister for Health if he proposes to have various health boards carry out a survey of privately owned old folks' homes so as to ensure that reasonable standards are maintained and that reasonable safety precautions are taken in them.

The responsibility for monitoring standards in private nursing homes rests with the health boards. The Homes for Incapacitated Persons Regulations, 1966, set out the standards required in these homes. I have accepted that the standards provided for in these regulations are inadequate and I will be introducing new regulations shortly which will contain stricter standards including provisions relating to safety precautions.

Does the Minister intend to introduce new legislation or just to amend the regulations?

The legislation will enhance the situation. The registration of such nursing homes would be encompassed in the legislation and then the regulations will be revised and will bring into force a much stricter set of minimum standards, including provisions relating to fire and other safety precautions in private nursing homes. Comprehensive draft regulations are now available and I intend to have these regulations tabled in the very near future.

Will it be necessary for all nursing homes to register with the health boards?

Under the proposed legislation it will be necessary to have registration and part of the registration will be to give permission for the opening of such a home. At the moment anybody can open a nursing home and I am not happy about the rights of people to open hospitals, homes or anything they like in the health area.

When will we have the legislation?

The legislation is currently with the Government.

7.