Dr. Sarah Donnelly:

The best way to safeguard people is by enabling them to safeguard themselves. Part of that is putting preventative supports in place. Currently, the system in Ireland is a postcode lottery. That is well documented in several research studies and it creates significant barriers to putting in the supports people need to protect themselves, whether home care, respite, day care or nursing home care. Aligned with that, approximately 80% of all care is provided by family carers - unpaid, informal family caregivers who are poorly supported. We need to look at supporting the family unit. As we mentioned in our opening statement, the UK has the Care Act 2014, social care legislation which enables support to be provided to the adult at risk but also to the person providing care for him or her. This is fundamental preventative work in adult safeguarding.