Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael)

I thank the Deputy for raising this very important issue. We were all shocked and appalled by what we saw on the "RTÉ Investigates" programme last week. I appreciate the opportunity to comment on the matter. I especially recognise how incredibly difficult it has been for the residents of the Residence in Portlaoise and Beneavin Manor and their families. We heard that first hand from the family of Audeon Guy this evening on "Prime Time".

I want to make it clear that poor care, neglect and any form of abuse of individuals residing in long-term residential care centres is wholly unacceptable. The highest standards of care and dignity must be always upheld, without exception. Every nursing home resident deserves the highest standard of care at all times. To achieve this, registered providers must adequately support their staff. Having effective governance and management arrangements in place ensures that staff are equipped to deliver person-centred care to residents.

The distressing footage aired during the "RTÉ Investigates" programme highlighted serious issues of non-compliance within these facilities. The welfare of residents and their families remains a paramount concern for me. Action is being taken to address these failures and strengthen oversight to ensure the protection and well-being of all individuals in these nursing homes.

First, I fully expect HIQA and the office of the chief inspector to utilise all powers available to them to ensure rigorous oversight and accountability in nursing home care. HIQA's chief inspector has confirmed their continuous intensive engagements with the two nursing homes concerned and has committed to providing me with an update on their progress by the end of this week. I assure the Deputy that my Department and I are monitoring developments closely, with both these nursing homes and the welfare of residents remaining my highest priority.

Second, I have formally requested an overview of the nursing home operators owned by Emeis. The chief inspector has committed to furnishing an interim report to me by the end of this week and a full report by the end of next week, providing an overview of regulatory history, including but not limited to regulatory compliance, escalating enforcement actions and any additional conditions of registration.

Third, the directors of nursing from both local HSE community support teams have been on site at the two nursing homes in question. Additionally, local safeguarding and protection teams are actively reviewing all safeguarding concerns raised in relation to these facilities.

I and Department of Health officials met with representative bodies and stakeholders from the nursing home sector earlier today. The engagements were constructive, with an immediate focus on delivering the highest quality of care to residents of nursing homes in Ireland.

On the safeguarding points the Deputy made and on adult safeguarding in the sector more generally, the Government is fully committed to strengthening existing protections. We will publish a national adult safeguarding policy for the health and social care sector shortly. The policy will commit to the development of adult safeguarding legislation for the sector and will build on the range of existing legislation, policies and procedures already in place in the sector for preventing, reporting and responding to abuse. The Government has included a health (adult safeguarding) Bill in its current legislative programme to facilitate this. It is recognised that this will be an important further development in preventing abuse and protecting vulnerable adults from abuse.

What happened in the two nursing homes featured in the "RTÉ Investigates" programme was appalling. It was sheer neglect and abuse of older people. This is something that I, the Department and the Government take very seriously. It is something I want to ensure, through the process I have outlined, never happens again.

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