The Health (Amendment) (Home Support Providers) Bill 2025 has passed the final stage in the Oireachtas and is expected to be signed into law by the President of Ireland soon. The legislation will provide a regulatory framework for providers of home support services for the first time and is the first step in the development of a statutory home care scheme that has been provided for in the programme for government.
We have discussed the contents of the legislation in previous articles:
The legislation will provide the framework for oversight of home support providers to ensure compliance with regulations and quality standards. It will facilitate the creation of a register of providers for the first time. The policing of compliance with the requirements of registration will fall to the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA), in a manner very similar to the inspection and compliance regime operated in the nursing home sector.
Minister of State for Older People and Housing, Kieran O’Donnell TD has confirmed that there will be a lead in period for the implementation of the legislation, giving HIQA a year to make preparations for the introduction of the new regime. This will be followed by a two-year period in which home care providers will be required to register in accordance with the legislation. After that period, home support providers will not be able to operate without being on the register. Failure to register and/or maintain registration will be a criminal offence.
For further information on the Bill and its potential impact on your organisation, please contact Matthew Austin, partner in our Commercial and Business team.
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