Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue and I acknowledge once again his advocacy of older people in our society and his interest, in particular, in elder abuse. Deputy Michael Collins raised the matter of Aperee Living in Belgooly specifically earlier and I gave a comprehensive reply to him. As Deputy O’Dowd rightly pointed out, the company has a number of facilities around the country. The chief inspector of HIQA is very concerned about a number of issues, including governance and potential financial abuse, which is very serious and is being taken seriously.

HIQA has uncovered financial irregularities relating to residents' incomes in six of the nursing homes, so it is not just one and it is not sporadic. That is a matter of real concern. The Minister is very much across this issue. The chief inspector will use all the powers available to her to perform the necessary functions to investigate this and make sure it is stopped and any refunds that should take place do take place.

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