To ask the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how he will ensure that the future quality of care in statutory and private care homes will be of the highest standard.

The Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA) is an independent arms length body which has overall responsibility for the registration and inspection of all care homes in Northern Ireland. This is in accordance with regulations and against minimum care standards published by the Department of Health Social Services and Public Safety. These minimum care standards ensure that the care being provided is of an acceptable high quality and standard.

Each home receives two inspections annually – one announced and one unannounced – with the aim of ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all residents and encouraging improvement.

Where RQIA identifies concerns about a particular care home it may take enforcement action to ensure the safety, wellbeing and protection of those residents living in the care home. If the care being provided does not comply with standards, RQIA has powers of enforcement, which are granted under the Health and Personal Social Services (Quality, Improvement and Regulation)(Northern Ireland) Order 2003.