Regarding existing safeguarding requirements for Designated Centres for Older People (nursing homes), the Health Act 2007 (Care and Welfare of Residents in Designated Centres for Older People) Regulations 2013 set out a range of obligations that registered providers of designated centres for older people (nursing homes) must adhere to. There are a number of provisions in the Regulations relating to safeguarding against abuse. These include the preparation and implementation of policies and procedures on the prevention, detection and response to abuse and the notification to the Chief Inspector in Social Services in HIQA of any incident of alleged or confirmed abuse of any resident.
Requirements for providers of residential care for persons with disabilities, including children, can be found under the Health Act 2007 (Care and Support of Residents in Designated Centres for Persons (Children and Adults) with Disabilities) 2013 and are a matter for the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, as is compliance with the Children First Act 2015.
In addition, the HSE National Policy & Procedures for Safeguarding Vulnerable Persons at Risk of Abuse (2014) applies to all statutory and public funded non-statutory service providers of older persons and disability services. This sets out the requirements for having a designated safeguarding officer in these services and details the responsibilities of the role.
Regarding my Department’s work on Adult Safeguarding Policy, on 9 December 2025, Cabinet approved Ireland’s first ever National Policy Framework for Adult Safeguarding in the Health and Social Care sector. Publication of the policy is a commitment in the Programme for Government and also in the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030. The policy framework will extend across all public, private and voluntary health and social care services.
Included are a range of both legislative and non-legislative measures that will significantly expand and strengthen existing supports and protections for adults at risk of harm across the health and social care sector (including disability services). The Government has also approved the development of legislation to underpin these commitments. Key legislative commitments include:
• The Health Service Executive (HSE) will have responsibility for leading and coordinating adult safeguarding across the sector and will have statutory functions, duties, and powers to underpin this role.
• Current safeguarding structures within the HSE will be strengthened and legislation will provide that they will operate independently in the performance of their functions.
• New powers of entry for safeguarding and protection teams and powers to obtain court protection orders.
• The Health Information Quality Authority's (HIQA’s) remit will be extended to include independent oversight and monitoring of adult safeguarding services for the health and social care sector delivered by the HSE.
• New obligations for service providers including undertaking risk evaluations, developing, and publishing adult safeguarding statements and ensuring staff are appropriately trained.
• The introduction of mandatory reporting in specified circumstances.
• The National Independent Review Panel (NIRP) process for adult safeguarding learning reviews for serious incidents will be strengthened and placed on a statutory footing.
• Strengthened cooperation between service providers and relevant state agencies.
The HSE Chief Social Worker is now preparing an implementation plan. My Department has commenced drafting the General Scheme of a Safeguarding Bill to support implementation of the policy.
