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

I will speak a little bit quicker because I have to get two pieces in. Records were screened for all notations referring to any alleged or actual sexual conduct during this timeframe. The content of the file review raised some concerns within the HSE and, in that context, it has been agreed that this report will now remain as a draft while a further validation is completed by a team appointed by the HSE nationally in order to address any queries and concerns. This validation is ongoing and I expect an update on this report at the end of this month. I confirm to the Deputy and to the House that I will be continuing to engage with the HSE both locally and nationally on the issues raised in the Brandon report and its recommendations, as well as these HIQA reports. I will also be monitoring the HSE's ongoing work very closely to ensure it addresses the failures highlighted in the report and that it progresses the actions it committed to, thus ensuring families and service users can have confidence in their services and that such failures do not recur.

I appreciate the view the Deputy has expressed in the House this evening. I would like to be able to assure the Deputy and the House that no such other incidents have occurred or are occurring but, in light of the HIQA reports and other ongoing incidents that are currently being looked at, what I can say is that I have learned a lot from the NIRP process and that, if required to in future, I will utilise a different method of review to ensure the fullest level of openness and transparency is achieved. I can also say that the safeguarding of adults who are at risk of abuse and harm from others in the context of their interactions with the health sector is a key objective of the Department of Health, every statutory body under its aegis and every health and social care service that interacts with such adults. As the Minister of State responsible, I believe that the focus must be on ensuring that the findings and recommendations of the NIRP report are addressed appropriately. It is imperative that lessons are learned and timely improvements are made in the system, where needed.

The NIRP recommendation seeking the appointment of a strategic working group tasked with developing a new vision for disability services in this area in line with national policy is important. It is important to note that the NIRP has stated that this should be chaired by someone who is able to challenge the old order and to hold its membership to account for affecting change. This speaks volumes in respect of the issues that have been unearthed and that need to be remedied in CHO area 1.

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