486. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the status of phase 3 of the Framework for Safe Nurse and Skill Mix in long-term residential care settings for older persons; if testing has concluded; the timeline he is working towards in publishing a national policy document; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45820/24]

As the Deputy may be aware, the Framework for Safe Nurse Staffing and Skill Mix (the Framework) is an evidence-based approach to determining safe staffing and skill mix levels for nursing and healthcare assistants.

Phase 3(i) of the Framework is being developed in Long-Term residential care settings for older persons in line with recommendation 5.4 of the Covid-19 Nursing Home Expert panel report. A research study led by Professor Jonathan Drennan, University College Dublin testing the Framework in eight pilot sites has recently concluded and a final research report has been submitted to the Taskforce for Safe Nurse Staffing.

Based on the evidence and in line with the recommendation of the COVID-19 Nursing Home Expert Panel, it is my intention that Phase 3(i) be developed into a national policy in line with other phases.