Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 April 2015
163. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if there are procedures in place for the notification to the Health Service Executive of all complaints of sexual abuse in respect of vulnerable adults by staff working in care centres. [13693/15]
View answer164. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if action was taken with regard to the fact that a Dublin-based care facility conducted an internal investigation into allegations of abuse by a bus driver for the centre on a disabled adult woman and that the driver was exonerated and allowed to continue in employment, even though the driver was found guilty of this offence by the courts and given a custodial sentence in March 2015. [13694/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 163 and 164 together.
The notification of allegations of any/ all complaints of any abuse, sexual or otherwise, in relation to vulnerable adults by staff working in care centres should be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for investigation under its new National Policy and Procedures for Safeguarding Vulnerable Persons at Risk of Abuse that I launched with the HSE on 5 December, 2014, which clears the way for staff members in HSE and non-HSE facilities, and members of the public, to refer allegations of abuse to designated reporting individuals.
As you may be aware, on 16 December, 2014, Mr. Tony O'Brien, Director General, HSE, announced the appointment of Ms. Leigh Gath as "Confidential Recipient" for the Health Service on foot of events at Áras Attracta, Swinford, Co. Mayo. The Confidential Recipient is independent in her functions with the authority to examine complaints or disclosures of abuse of vulnerable persons in receipt of HSE funded services and has the authority to:
- Independently advise and assist individuals on the best course of action to take to raise matters of concern;
- Assist with the referral and examination of concerns; and
- Ensure these matters are appropriately addressed by the HSE and its funded agencies.
In view of the seriousness of the matter raised by the Deputy, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to provide a report to me and I will contact the Deputy once I have received and considered the report.
