Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said the Health Information and Quality Authority's regulatory framework will have to be examined in light of revelations in the RTÉ Investigates documentary on nursing homes, which he described as horrific, shocking and unacceptable.
Micheál Martin said that HIQA would have to take on board how in the case of one nursing home, inspections revealed a lack of compliance with regulations, and in the case of another the inspections did not.
"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 said.
"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."
Mr Martin said there were "issues" in terms of how HIQA approached the inspection of the two nursing homes involved.
"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.
Mr Martin was speaking to the media during a visit to Star of the Sea primary school at Passage West in Co Cork.
HSA to inspect nursing homes featured in programme
Meanwhile, the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) is to carry out inspections at the two centres which featured in the documentary examining standards of care at Ireland's largest private provider of nursing homes.
The inspections will review general health and safety measures at both The Residence Portlaoise and Beneavin Manor in north Dublin to ensure risk assessments, patient handling and health and safety training are in place.
The inspections come on foot of detailed complaints made to HIQA by two undercover RTÉ carers who witnessed repeated examples in both homes of frail older residents being handled inappropriately or lifted without the use of proper handling equipment.
The concerns were subsequently passed to the HSA as they do not fall under the remit of HIQA.
Read more:
Portlaoise nursing home breached admissions restrictions imposed by HIQA
What RTÉ found inside a leading private residential care provider
Serious care concerns found at leading private nursing home group
HIQA has also confirmed that it is carrying out a review of all nursing homes operated by the Emeis Ireland group.
It said that following an inspection of The Residence Portlaoise in February, it initiated proceedings to stop admissions to the nursing home.
The provider was advised of this measure in February, a formal notification was issued in March and the restriction came into effect on 22 April.
However, the nursing home was in breach of the sanction after 22 April.
It is understood a flurry of admissions took place to the home in late April, including post 22 April and during which time RTÉ Investigates had an undercover healthcare assistant working at the home.
Nursing home accepted admissions after HIQA restriction due to 'admin error'
Emeis Ireland said that The Residence Portlaoise had accepted admissions after the restriction imposed by HIQA due to "an administrative error".
In a statement this evening, it said: "HIQA had, following an inspection of The Residence Portlaoise, issued notification of a decision for The Residence Portlaoise to cease admissions 14 days from receipt of the notice. Due to an administrative error on our part regarding the date to cease admissions, admissions continued for 8 days until 30 April 2025 in The Residence Portlaoise.
"We reiterate our deep regret and disappointment in respect of the matters uncovered by the programme," it said.
Emeis Ireland said "both HIQA and the HSE have visited Beneavin Manor and The Residence Portlaoise and we are engaging with these agencies".
"Emeis Ireland once again extends a genuine and open apology to all residents of Beneavin Manor and The Residence Portlaoise, and to their families for the pain and distress imposed on them, due to clearly identified failures in care.
"We also extend an apology to the residents and families in our wider facilities and our dedicated staff members working in good faith throughout the group, who have been let down by these events," added the statement.
