Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 May 2004
184 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Health and Children his views on the concerns regarding abuse of the elderly both at home and in institutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14869/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraI launched Protecting Our Future, the report of the working group on elder abuse, on 11 November 2002. This report, in starting with a definition of elder abuse and recommending the putting in place of structures to deal with suspected cases will, hopefully, give older people who feel they are the subject of abuse in any shape or form the confidence to report their anxieties, as appropriate, to a social worker, a public health nurse, a member of the Garda Síochána or any professional or care worker.
One of the recommendations in the elder abuse report is the establishment of a national implementation group and this has been achieved. In addition, funding of €0.8 million was provided in 2003 to commence the elder abuse programme, and in 2004 an additional €0.75 million was provided.
