186. Deputy Natasha Newsome Drennan asked the Minister for Health if her Department has reviewed the independent review assessing the regulatory processes of the Health Information and Quality Authority's inspection of nursing homes, which highlighted the need for regulatory reform in a number of key areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52295/26]

Poor 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. The review was subsequently commissioned by the Board of the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) and undertaken by Forvis Mazars.

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. A detailed implementation plan is now being developed.

The health, safety and wellbeing of nursing home residents is of paramount importance to the Government.