Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Sometimes we get an opportunity where we see a pattern, and when one sees a pattern one has to question the relationships. Sometimes it is the relationship with the provider, with the external, that is very important to understand. It is very important for staff working within that care facility to know there are other organisations from which they can seek support. It is not just the regulatory body, but the support could be from An Garda Síochána, Tusla or social workers. Sometimes that relationship is not understood. In the past, perhaps, we have looked on everything through the medical lens and seen everything as an episode, whereas, in fact, there were patterns establishing. However, because of the way we view the delivery of a disability service, we see it as a medical model. Again, that is why I look forward to its transfer.

That is why I have continuously advocated in the past number of weeks for the publication of a particular report, the Brandon report, although we will not go into that now. That is why in the past number of weeks, where we have seen an established pattern in the north west, there is the need for an independent review to understand that pattern and relationships. I genuinely believe we do not understand patterns and relationships when it comes to the safeguarding of individuals in disability care settings. If there was a comprehensive, independent, external safeguarding review carried out in same said location in the north west, we would take that learning. It is not another report, but an independent review that I would like to oversee and deliver, whereby I would have assurances from my funder, the HSE, and the other providers that they understand safeguarding, patterns, relationships and how they would all work together to ensure the person at the centre gets the best possible care. It is not seen as an episode but is seen, as it is dealt with, in the proper framework. We can also reassure the families and rebuild the trust that when there is an adult loved one in residential or respite care, in the absence of legislation we would have regulation that would govern the delivery of the disability care settings and give back that trust. I believe trust is damaged there at present.