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

It is incumbent on me to ensure the independent expert review group that is put in place with an independent expert is not seen through a medical but rather a social care lens. The person, and his or her environment and family, should be seen in the round, and the person should be put at the centre. As we read in the Brandon report, it should not be about episodes and every outburst being viewed through a medical lens as an episode requiring a medical model, as opposed to understanding the underlying conditions an individual has.

In terms of the independent expert group, I have always said it should be about reassurance that the HSE works, HIQA does its job and people who are working in services know the proper protocols, who to reach out to if something is inappropriate and how to link in with Tusla or An Garda Síochána and go up the chain within the HSE to be able to highlight possible red flags without fearing to speak out or that they will face repercussions. That is the reassurance I want.

The Deputy is correct. Families need to be reassured that their loved ones are in a safe environment. Safeguarding legislation currently sits with the Department of Health, as I have said. It was transferred from one Department to another. Safeguarding is a priority. If it does not go at the pace that I think is required to meet the needs of those in residential, respite and day services in the disability sector, I have the support of the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman, to progress our own safeguarding legislation.

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