Michael Harty (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

In regard to the agency, evidence provided last week showed that almost 8,000 cases of suspected adult abuse were reported to the HSE, and the National Centre for the Protection of Older People estimated that there were 32,000 people over the age of 65 who were mistreated last year. That is a huge volume of work to be placed on an existing agency. I am sure HIQA is stretched to the limit of its capacity at the moment and to have that volume of work placed upon it would be very difficult. Perhaps the witnesses might comment on that. Do the witnesses think that mandatory reporting, if that is the way the legislation goes, will slow its progress? Mandatory reporting in regard to children presents a huge difficulty in terms of historical reporting. A GP may get information from patients of child abuse going back many years, and to place a mandatory reporting obligation in that regard would be very difficult. That may also be the case in regard to reporting adult abuse. Will the witnesses comment on whether mandatory reporting will slow the whole process up?