Quality Authority
HIQA Functions
The Health Act 2007 established the Health, Information and Quality Authority (HIQA). The Authority has been conferred with a number of inspection and regulatory functions in relation to the health services. In particular, this includes the regulation and inspection of nursing homes and childcare centres, as well as the regulation of many health professionals.
The function of the Authority is to set standards on safety and quality in relation to healthcare services and service providers under the Health Acts, the Child Care acts, the Children Acts, and the Health (Nursing Homes) Act. It carries out certain other functions under disabilities and special needs learning legislation.
The Authority
- monitors compliance with  standards
- undertakes investigations
- reviews and makes recommendations in respect of services to the Minister
- operates accreditation programs
- operates schemes aimed at assuring safety and quality in health services
- evaluation of clinical and cost-effectiveness of health technologies, including drugs.
The Authority may set standards for the HSE and service providers in relation to data and information. It may advise the Minister and executive on compliance by service providers and the Executive himself. It may provide advice and recommendations to the Minister or executive about deficiencies identified.
Ministerial Direction
In carrying out its functions, the Authority is to have regard to government policy in so far as it affects the Authority’s functions. It is to have regard to its resources and the need to co-operate with other public authorities performing relevant services. It must in so far as reasonably practicable, have regard to research, statistics and other information in relation to health and personal social services provided in other jurisdictions.
In setting standards, the Authority considers submissions made by relevant bodies and sends them for approval by the Minister. The standards are admissible in prosecutions and procedures for contravention of the relevant legislation or regulation. Where the standards appear to give guidance to the court, they are admissible as such in evidence. They are not necessarily conclusive.
Governance
The Board of HIQA consists of twelve members. They are appointed by the Minister from persons with expertise in various matters related to the functions of the Authority. A chairman is appointed for a five-year period.
The chief executive carries on and manages generally the administration and business of the Authority. He is responsible to the Board for the performance of his functions and implementation of the board’s policies. The chief executive is accountable to the Oireachtas committee. The functions of the chief executive may be delegated to other officers. The Board has its own employees.
The Minister may give directions to the Authority for the purpose of any of its functions. He may direct that information, reports and statistics be provided.
The Authority is to prepare a corporate plan every three years. The plan is submitted to the Minister for approval, who may modify or vary it. Annual business plans are to be provided.
Chief Inspector of Social Services
The Office of the Chief Inspector of Social Services is established under the Act. The Authority appoints the Chief Inspector with the approval of the Minister. The Chief Inspector is responsible for
- certain inspection functions under the Child Care and Nursing Homes legislation.
- designation and registration of designated centres
- and inspection of special care units.
The Chief Inspector is accountable to the Oireachtas committee in relation to certain matters.