Ms Celine Clarke:

The Deputy makes an important point. We have put together a package of safeguarding measures that we would like to see coming on stream.

One of those would be safeguarding legislation for adults who would fall outside of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015. The other is a change to the coercive control legislation to include any crime within a relationship where there is a power. Currently, it is only within couples in intimate relationships. That is where one would see issues to do with pressure, for example, from a nephew, from a neighbour or from a community, for a person to leave his or her home.

The adult safeguarding HSE team annual report in 2022 had more than 600 reports of financial elder abuse, and that is what is reported. Organisations, such as Age Action Ireland and Sage Advocacy, believe that is well under reported in the issues that come to the fore. It is a very genuine concern.

Steps can be taken in the safeguarding packages, such as the assisted decision-making, ADM, adult safeguarding legislation and changes in coercive control, but a cultural shift is also required and an understanding that older people have their rights, regardless of their age and setting. We need to respect and understand, and root out ageism from our practice, society and attitudes.