Vol. 513 No. 1
400 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children the steps, if any, he has taken on the recommendation of the working group formed following the publication of the report Abuse, Neglect and Mistreatment of Older People, an Exploratory Study; the steps, if any, taken in 1999 to implement the recommendations; the steps, if any, he will take in 2000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1160/00]
Following the publication of the report Abuse, Neglect and Mistreatment of Older People: an Exploratory Study by the National Council on Ageing and Older People, I established a broad-based working group to advise me on the formulation of procedures and guidelines on elder abuse. It is chaired by Dr. Desmond O'Neill, consultant physician in medicine of old age. The terms of reference of the working group are as follows: Having regard to the report entitled Abuse, Neglect and Mistreatment of Older People; An Exploratory Study published by the National Council on Ageing and Older People, to advise the Minister of State with special responsibility for older people on the development of principles, policies and guidelines in relation to elder abuse and, in this regard, to make recommendations in relation to such of the following matters as it considers appropriate: definitions and terminology; identification and screening procedures; assessment protocols and procedures; management of sensitive information; recording and reporting procedures; inter-agency communications and referral practices; intervention issues and procedures to evaluate their impact; any necessary changes in legislation and legal procedures; training of relevant staff in the statutory, voluntary and private sectors; and the need for appropriate structures to deal with elder abuse.
The group held its first meeting on 12 October 1999. It has drawn up a comprehensive two year work programme which will involve, inter alia, development of a training brief, the organisation of pilot projects, implementation of awareness and training programmes, preparation of evaluation report, and culminating in the presentation of a final report to me. I am providing resources to ensure that the work is completed within the timeframe envisaged.
It will be clear that this expert working group has a broad remit in relation to making recommendations as to how the problem of elder abuse will best be overcome and I am sure that the Deputy will accept that the precise nature of measures to be taken should await the outcome of the group's deliberations.
401 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo with no running water, bathroom or toilet facilities in her house has not received the necessary help from the Western Health Board under the special housing aid for the elderly scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1161/00]
I have asked the chief executive officer of the Western Health Board to investigate this matter and reply directly to the Deputy.
