Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 1 June 2023
370. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the status of the Health (Adult Safeguarding) Bill 2017; the rational for this Bill not being developed by his Department, given that adult safeguarding is much broader than the health sector; his views on a cross-departmental and inter-agency approach, as well as a whole of society approach; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27019/23]
View answerI thank the Deputy for clarifying through her office that the question relates to the anticipated Health (Adult Safeguarding) Bill and the rationale for this Bill being developed by my Department.
I and my Department take the risk of abuse of vulnerable adults in healthcare and social care contexts very seriously. In the health and social care sector, various structures and processes, including legislative and policy measures, are available to protect against abuse and ensure prompt action.
To further strengthen the existing framework for the sector under my Department's remit, my Department is developing an overarching national policy on adult safeguarding in the health and social care sector. To facilitate the development of appropriate legislation to underpin this policy, subject to its approval by the Government, the Government has included a Health (Adult Safeguarding) Bill in its current Legislation Programme.
As the Deputy correctly notes, adult safeguarding is much broader than the health sector. It is an important matter for all sectors, society as a whole, all agencies and all Government Departments. While every sector has specific safeguarding responsibilities for adults at risk within their remit, currently no one Department has an assigned lead or coordinating cross-sectoral role.
Separately from my Department's policy development work specifically in relation to the health and social care sector, the Law Reform Commission is preparing a major report on A Regulatory Framework for Adult Safeguarding , that is expected to inform future policy and legislation on adult safeguarding across all sectors.
Upon completion of the Commission’s report, I expect that relevant Departments will consider any recommendations the Commission may make regarding legislation relevant to their Departments’ functions and any recommendations it may make in relation to cross-departmental, cross-sectoral, inter-agency or whole of society approaches.
