Paul Murphy
Ceist:691. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of safeguarding referrals that HIQA have forwarded to the guards and to the safeguarding teams from March 2020 to date in 2022. [60918/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 6 December 2022
Ceisteanna (691)
Freagraí scríofa
The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has advised as follows:
All safeguarding issues are reviewed as a matter of priority to determine the most appropriate regulatory action. In situations where substantiated safeguarding issues are identified, providers are required to take action to ensure the safety of residents. If immediate risks to the safety of residents are identified, providers must take immediate action to address these issues and to prevent a recurrence. The Chief Inspector continues to monitor the actions of the provider to ensure they are effective in addressing the safeguarding concerns. The Chief Inspector can, and has, taken further action, up to and including the cancellation of registration, where providers fail to sustain improvements to residents’ safety.
Since 2020, 10 referrals were made to the HSE National Safeguarding Office and two to An Garda Síochána in relation to safeguarding incidents in registered designated centres. A further two situations are currently under review with a view to referral to An Garda Síochána.
In addition, a further 10 referrals were made to the HSE National Safeguarding Office and one to An Garda Síochána in relation to safeguarding incidents in services outside of HIQA’s remit.