Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 June 2007
122 Deputy Liz McManus asked the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to serious assaults on social care workers as they carry out their work; the processes in place to deal with and record assault rates; the steps she is taking to address this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17582/07]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy's question mainly relates to human resource management within the Health Service Executive. I am very aware of the unique challenges faced by employees across the Health Sector, including social care workers, as they carry out their duties. Assault in the workplace is a phenomenon which needs to be taken seriously and dealt with appropriately. I know that a joint working group was established in February 2006, under the auspices of the Health Service National Joint Council, to examine and report on the matter of tackling violence and aggression against staff in the workplace. The terms of reference for the group are to produce a standard policy for the health service on the management of violence and aggression in the workplace, having regard to the body of work currently available within the Health Service Executive and its agents and to best international practice generally.
As the processes in place to deal with and record assault rates would be a matter for the Executive under the Health Act 2004, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have it investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
