Dáil Éireann Debate, Friday - 3 December 2021
163. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health his plans to advance mandatory open disclosure, mandatory reporting and adult safeguarding legislation; when he plans to seek committee stage for the patient safety Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59118/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Patient Safety (Notifiable Patient Safety Incidents) Bill 2019 will for the first time introduce mandatory open disclosure for certain defined patient safety incidents that have occurred during the provision of clinical care in Irelands health and social services. The Department is working with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel to finalise amendments to the Bill arising from its passage through the first and second stage of the Dáil. The Bill is expected to shortly come before the Committee Stage of the Dáil.
Regarding adult safeguarding, the Government takes the protection of adults at risk of abuse very seriously. There are various structures and processes currently in place to protect against abuse in the health and social care sector and to ensure prompt action. My Department is at an advanced stage of developing a national policy on adult safeguarding in the health and social care sector. Subject to Government approval, this policy will further strengthen the sector’s adult safeguarding framework and will apply to all public, voluntary and private healthcare and social care settings and agencies under my Department’s remit. Legislation as required to underpin this sectoral policy will be prepared following its approval by Government.
Separately, the Law Reform Commission is undertaking a review on A Regulatory Framework for Adult Safeguarding (across all sectors). Upon completion, this Department will consider any recommendations the Commission may make regarding legislation relevant to its functions and anticipates that other Departments will do the same.
