Michael Cahill
Ceist:491. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health the steps have that been taken to address physical abuse of senior citizens; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46551/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 18 June 2026
Ceisteanna (491)
Freagraí scríofa
Safeguarding adults who may be at risk of abuse is a key objective of my Department, every statutory body under its aegis and every relevant service that interacts with such adults. Currently, there are various structures and processes in place within the health and social care sector, to protect against abuse and ensure prompt action.
There are Safeguarding and Protection Teams in place in each Health Region. Concerns about an adult at risk of abuse (including older people) can be reported to the local Team. Contact details for these Teams are available at: []https://www2.hse.ie/complaints-feedback/report-a-concern-about-a-vulnerable-adult/.
Concerns can also be raised through the HSE’s Adult Safeguarding online portal at: https://adultsafeguardingportal.hse.ie/web/portal/pages/home.
If it is believed that someone is in immediate danger or that a crime has occurred, contact should be made with An Garda Síochána.
In order to expand and strengthen the existing supports and protections for adults at risk of abuse in the health and social care sector, 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.
The policy framework will apply across all public, private and voluntary health and social care services. Included are a range of both legislative and non-legislative commitments that will significantly expand and strengthen existing supports and protections for adults at risk of harm across the health and social care sector. The Government has also approved the development of legislation to underpin these commitments.
A number of actions have already been progressed to support implementation of the Policy Framework:
• The Department is actively working on preparing a General Scheme of an Adult Safeguarding Bill and it is expected to be published this year.
• The Health Service Executive's (HSE’s) Chief Social Worker is leading the development of an implementation plan for the policy framework to be approved by the Department of Health.
• A Implementation Oversight Group has been established by the Chief Social Worker has been established to support the development of the implementation plan and to coordinate, monitor and drive delivery of the implementation plan.
• The Department of Health has established a Stakeholder Forum to bring together a wide range of stakeholders to discuss and engage on the implementation of the Policy Framework. The first meeting of the Stakeholder Forum took place on 3 June.