21 Feb 2024, 12:26
The Joint Committee on Disability Matters will meet on Wednesday February 21st to discuss safeguarding with representatives from Safeguarding Ireland.
The meeting will take place in Committee Room 1 of Leinster House between 17:30-20:30.
The following representatives are due to appear:
Patricia Rickard-Clarke, Chairperson - Safeguarding Ireland
Annmarie O’Connor, Programme Manager - Safeguarding Ireland
Ronan Cavanagh, Communications - Safeguarding Ireland
Speaking ahead of the meeting, Committee Cathaoirleach Deputy Michael Moynihan said: “The National Safeguarding Committee was established by the HSE in December 2015 in the aftermath of the investigation of the adult abuse issues within the Áras Attracta facility, to bring together the views and perspectives of a multi-sectoral group on how the issue of adult safeguarding could be addressed in health and social care services in Ireland under an independent Chairperson.
Safeguarding Ireland’s primary objectives are to promote safeguarding of adults who may be vulnerable, protect them from all forms of abuse by persons, organisations and institutions and develop a national plan for promoting their welfare.
Under its current strategy Safeguarding Ireland has focused on three main objectives: the promotion and pursuit of the introduction and enactment of Adult Safeguarding legislation; the establishment of an independent over-arching National Safeguarding Authority and raising public and organisational awareness of issues of abuse, neglect and exploitation and of the need for a rights-informed approach to adult safeguarding issues.
“We welcome the opportunity to discuss the gaps that exist in terms of safeguarding legislation and the organisation's priorities for the years ahead.”
Watch the meeting live here or on the Oireachtas smartphone app for Apple and Android.