Inspection reports on standards in nursing homes are to be made publicly available following growing concern over the level of care in some long-stay care facilities for older people.
The Health Services Executive (HSE) has also initiated a review of its inspection processes to examine where regulations and standards need to be improved.
Aidan Browne, the HSE's national director for primary community and continuing care, said a key aspect of the review would be to ensure standards were applied consistently across the State.
The review will also examine the possibility of involving outside professionals and members of the public in the inspection process.
The move follows comments by the Ombudsman, Emily O'Reilly, that nursing home inspection reports should be made routinely available. Questions over standards of care in some institutions were also raised in a Prime Time report on RTÉ last week. Many health authorities have often been slow to release inspection reports, often on the grounds of commercial sensitivity. However, Mr Browne said the HSE has decided to release such records under the Freedom of Information Act.
In the meantime moves to tighten up inspection procedures have begun with the movement of responsibility for inspections to single figure in the HSE. Up until now this function has been shared by the 10 former health board areas.
Minister for Health Mary Harney has said legislation providing for the independent inspection of nursing homes is due to be published in the autumn. There will also be new standards for nursing homes.
