The Department of Health has said an "urgent review" of the inspections system for nursing homes in the State is under way.
The move follows months of controversy over the privately run Leas Cross nursing home in Swords, Co Dublin, which closed last week after the Health Service Executive withdrew its patients over safety concerns.
Private patients were also advised to move out of the facility, although the relatives of some of them insisted they were happy with the accommodation and care provided.
The Tánaiste and Minister for Health also announced a €50 million investment programme
The Department said legislation will be brought before the Oireachtas later this year to give effect to the measures, which include putting the Social Services Inspectorate on a statutory footing. That body inspects facilities for troubled teenagers.
It was known that the Department had decided to undertake a review of the inspection system, but today marks the formal announcement of the move.
The Department said it was examining the current framework for the inspection of nursing homes and is "urgently reviewing the operation of the Health (Nursing Homes) Act, 1990 and Regulations made under the Act to see which powers need to be strengthened".
"This will be a wide ranging review which will have the rights of patients at its centre."
The Social Services Inspectorate will be established on a statutory basis and its remit will be extended to allow it inspect both public and private residential facilities for older people.
It will be responsible for reporting on standards of care in such homes and will be independent of the Health Service Executive and the Department.
"Legislation to give effect to these changes will be brought before the Oireachtas later this year. The Irish Health Services Accreditation Board has also commenced work on examining the development of accreditation standards for residential care for older people, both public and private," the Department of Health said in a statement.
The Tánaiste and Minister for Health also announced a €50 million investment programme to upgrade facilities at residential facilities for older people.
Ms Harney said the scheme will bring about improvements in basic amenities that directly affect the lives of older people. "The investment will concentrate on public facilities, particularly those units which were built many years ago and require additional investment.
"The areas to be covered will include such matters as the general upgrading of facilities, grants for smaller projects, health and safety issues, fire safety and prevention, furniture, equipment, replacement and refurbishment of such facilities to improve the safety, comfort and dignity of older people."
Seán Power, Minister for State at The Department of Health and Children, said the additional €50 million together with the changes in the regulatory environment demonstrated the Government's commitment to putting services for elderly people at the heart of the reform and investment programme for the health services.