The health watchdog has been deliberately misled about the conditions in care homes. That is according to whistleblower complaints seen by the Irish Independent.

It is reporting that HIQA inspectors were intentionally given misleading impressions about standards of care in the facilities at least 15 times in the last year.

Several staff at the care homes have made the claim.

The most common allegation made was that extra staff were drafted in when an inspection was expected.

It was also alleged that the sons of a care home operator were included in the staff list to bring staffing levels up, despite the fact that they did not work there.

A cleaner also claimed she was dismissed after voicing concerns about risks to nursing home residents.

And a whistleblower alleged she was chosen by staff on the day of an inspection to promote a picture of good care and attention at teh facility.

It comes after undercover footage at the Aras Attracta care home in Co Mayo showed residents being kicked, force fed, slapped and verbally abused.