Taoiseach shifts focus to regulator over Portlaoise nursing home crisis

The Taoiseach has focused on regulation and the regulator, HIQA, in the wake of the RTÉ exposé of care at a Laois nursing home.

While there has been criticism of the Government's over-reliance on private for-profit operators such as Emeis Ireland, Micheál Martin chose to draw attention to the State's health watchdog the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA).  

"That needs to be examined in terms of how that came about and are there better ways of getting in under this, making sure this doesn't happen again," Mr Martin told reporters in Cork.

While he complimented HIQA, he also said the problems at the nursing homes in Portlaoise and Dublin were not detected.

"HIQA has been effective and impactful in many areas - that has to be said. But there has to be an examination of this situation in terms of the regulatory framework that didn't catch very horrific and shocking behaviour towards elderly people in nursing homes. That has to be taken on board," he said.

Mr Martin highlighted "issues" with HIQA's approach to inspection of The Residence Portlaoise and Beneavin Manor in Dublin.

"I think they will be examining that aspect of it in terms of the manner and methodology used to inspect, even though they were unannounced inspections when they happened.

"What was uncovered by RTÉ Investigates was horrific. It was absolutely unacceptable," he said.

HIQA told the Leinster Express / Laois Live that it sanctioned The Residence after four inspections following its opening in 2023. However, the Minister for Older People confirmed the ban on admitting new patients was not complied with at the Portlaoise home after it came into effect on April 22.

However, it gave the Dublin home a clean bill of health. MORE BELOW PHOTO.

Peter Burke, then Minister for Enterprise Trade and Employment, with Neal McGroarty CEO emeis Ireland, unveiling the plaque to mark the official opening of The Residence Portlaoise in 2024.

HIQA has issued just one statement on the controversy in which it defended its record of regulation highligthing the results achieved.

"Our recently published report on our findings from 15 Years of Regulating Nursing Homes highlights how the vast majority of nursing homes are now providing good quality care. It also shows that a small number of nursing homes struggle to maintain compliance with the regulations.

Where there is persistent non-compliance with the regulations or where there is risk to residents’ safety, HIQA’s Chief 
Inspector takes the necessary enforcement steps which may include attaching restrictive conditions to a centre’s registration, such as stopping new admissions to the centre until improvements are made, or in some cases cancelling the registration of a designated centre. In taking such action, we are conscious that nursing homes are people’s homes.

"The Chief Inspector is mindful that cancelling the registration of a centre can cause significant upset and distress to residents and their families.

"However, where this is deemed necessary, the Chief Inspector may cancel the registration of the centre. In 2024, we refused to renew registration or cancelled the registration of 10 nursing homes," it said.

HIQA also maintains that in 2024, inspectors conducted 840 inspections of nursing homes, with 84% being unannounced.

Emeis Ireland is owned a French company that has been mired in controversy in France over shortcomings has apologised. It is the biggest provider of nursing home care in Ireland. It opened The Residence in 2023 after it bought the Kilminchy Lodge in Portlaosie which is also under review.

READ ALSO: 100 jobs were promised at The Residence when it offically opened

Emeis was formerly called Orpea. The company rebranded after a tumultuous period caused by controversy over alleged mistreatment of residents at its facilities in France. 

That was caused by a book written by Victor Castanet called The Gravediggers which details hundreds of testimonies and evidence of alleged negligence at Orpea care facilities.

SIPTU has called on the Government to ensure safe staffing at Irish nusing homes.