IRELAND’S health watchdog does not have the power to tackle or punish big businesses that have taken over Ireland’s nursing home industry, HIQA bosses confessed today.
It comes as officials issued a grovelling apology over the failings that saw residents being abused and neglected in two homes that were exposed by an RTE undercover investigation.
Both of these homes have since been hit with warnings that they could be closed down if improvements are not made with gardai also called in to investigate incidents covered in the exposé.
And today Taoiseach Micheal Martin has said he has no problem with large fines being levelled against nursing homes that are repeatedly failing to meet standards.
He also said that closures have to be used as “a real consequence” for some nursing homes that are neglecting residents.
The RTE investigation sent undercover reporters into The Residence home in Portlaoise and Beneavin Manor in Dublin – both of which are owned by a large company named Emeis Ireland.
The documentary revealed shocking neglect of residents who were left lying in soiled clothing, crying for help and being roughly handled by staff.
The Oireachtas Health Committee today heard that 198 allegations of abuse of residents had been made in relation to Beneavin Manor while 40 allegations of abuse were made in the Residence in Portlaoise since 2023.
The health watchdog HIQA told TDs and Senators that both homes have been issued warnings that they could have their registration cancelled if drastic improvements are not made.
The company – Emeis Ireland – owns 23 more nursing homes in Ireland with HIQA launching new inspections in each of these facilities following the RTE exposé.
HIQA CEO Angela Fitzgerald issued a grovelling apology to the public over the nursing home scandal following criticism that the watchdog had previously signed off on the homes.
She said: “The recent RTÉ Investigates, was incredibly distressing and I want to apologise to anyone who feels let down by HIQA as the regulator.
LACK OF POWER
“What we witnessed in the programme should never have happened, and I hope that this can be a catalyst for change at a number of levels.
“I want to assure you that we have taken a number of steps to ensure the safety of residents and will continue to do so.”
The HIQA boss also revealed to TDs and Senators that the State’s watchdog does not have the power to fine or punish big businesses that are now running our nursing home sector.
Some 75 per cent of nursing homes in Ireland are now owned by private companies – an increase from 30 per cent just 20 years ago.
Just 15 large companies are in charge of 10,000 spaces for people in nursing homes in Ireland.
While HIQA does have the power to close down a nursing home, the watchdog does not have the power to go after the businesses that own the homes.
‘SYSTEM NOT WORKING’
HIQA told the Oireachtas Health Committee that they would need to be given extra powers from the Government in order to go after businesses with fines.
Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald told the Dail that HIQA had “its hands tied behind its back” when dealing with big businesses that run nursing homes.
The Dublin TD claimed the “State walked away” and allowed a “corporate takeover” of the care of older people in Ireland.
She said the “system is not working” if 198 complaints can be made against a nursing home but there is no accountability until RTE’s undercover reporters show up.
