Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Must our voiceless in care depend on whistleblowers, unannounced HIQA inspections and RTE's "Prime Time" programme to expose the wholly unacceptable behaviour of some who work in our care homes and facilities? I know at first hand the great work that so many employed in these settings perform. I have a brother with an intellectual disability in a HSE care home. This drip, drip exposé of dreadful behaviour by some must also deeply hurt those who are true carers in these settings.

For all concerned, but especially for those who cannot speak for themselves, like my brother, this behaviour must be rooted out once and for all. In the case of Áras Attracta, HIQA had inspected, made recommendations, returned and felt that all had been addressed. These inspections are not enough and we cannot depend on them alone. A special RTE documentary to be broadcast tonight showing the RTE investigations unit's examination of the standards of care in an Irish residential care facility for adults with intellectual disabilities will once again raise this issue. The focus of tonight's programme is bungalow 3 at the Áras Attracta care home in Swinford, County Mayo. It is now the subject of investigations by the HSE, HIQA and An Garda Síochána following this exposé. A litany of 19 issues have been raised by the RTE investigations unit.

That home is geographically close to the Taoiseach, but the issues being raised are always close to me and my family, and to all families of loved ones with intellectual challenges in such placements. It is imperative that these matters are addressed. Accordingly, what real steps are the Taoiseach, his Government colleagues and the HSE going to take to ensure that this particular problem that presents time after time, in one incident after another is substantively addressed once and for all?

Let us ensure that we are not looking at people starting to believe that we have a culture of abuse of our most vulnerable in such care settings. As a sibling of one who is so placed, I do not accept that there is such a culture. We run the risk of people believing that, however, if we fail to take appropriate action. What action do the Taoiseach and his Government intend taking?

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