The Health Information and Quality Authority will set national standards for the provision of health and social care services, except Mental Health Services, in Ireland.

These standards will incorporate minimum standards for quality and safety for a given service and also developmental standards to support moving towards excellence. They will be developed based on evidence and best practice within Ireland and internationally.

We will consult with a wide range of stakeholders - people using the service, health professionals and staff and the general public - to ensure that the standards we develop are meaningful, measureable and will support the delivery of high quality and safe standards of care.

We will provide guidelines and support to staff and service providers to help them to achieve these standards and facilitate a continuous improvement in Ireland's health and social services.

The standards which are currently being implemented in Ireland, and which will be reviewed by the Authority include:

• Draft National Quality Standards for Residential and Foster Care Services for Children and Young People
• National Standards for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections
• Hygiene Standards
• Standards for Residential Care Settings for older people
• Standards for the Assessment of Need
• Symptomatic Breast Disease Standards
• National Quality Standards: Residential Services for People with Disabilities