Paul Murphy
Question:670. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health how many concerns since 2020 have been raised with him in relation to alleged sexual abuse of vulnerable adults in care. [33491/23]
View answerTuesday, 11 July 2023
Questions (670)
Written answers
In the health sector, a framework of standards, policies and procedures for the safeguarding of adults who may be at risk of abuse, harm and exploitation is in place. This includes:
• the HSE’s national operational adult safeguarding policy Safeguarding Vulnerable People at Risk of Abuse – Policy and Procedures (2014) providing clear guidelines for HSE and HSE-funded staff to follow in cases of suspected abuse or neglect of adults;
• a HSE National Safeguarding Office leading operational policy development and oversight;
• social work teams (“Safeguarding and Protection Teams”) in each of the 9 HSE Community Healthcare Organisation (CHO) areas;
• training programmes on safeguarding policy and procedures;
• Designated Adult Safeguarding Officers within many services.
The HSE’s national operating policy referenced above provides a very clear framework for the reporting and examination of suspected abuse or neglect of adults. This includes the HSE’s internal processes for examination of reported concerns and also the notification of reported concerns to HIQA and An Garda Síochána, as appropriate. Any allegation, suspected or confirmed of abuse of any resident in a designated centre under the 2007 Health Act must be notified to HIQA within 3 days.
The National Safeguarding Office is tasked with collecting and collating data in relation to notifications and referrals to Safeguarding and Protection Teams of alleged abuse and neglect of adults at risk of abuse. The Office recently published its annual report for 2022 which provides a detailed breakdown of all allegations of abuse received. Data shows that 4% of all reported allegations, 672 in total, had a sexual abuse component. Equivalent data for previous years is available at: www.hse.ie/eng/about/who/socialcare/safeguardingvulnerableadults/safeguardingvuladts.html.
Anyone who has a concern about the safeguarding of adults at risk within a health or social care service is strongly encouraged to make contact with the local HSE Safeguarding and Protection Team for that area. Contact for each of the teams is available at: www.hse.ie/eng/about/who/socialcare/safeguardingvulnerableadults/safeguarprotectteams.html.