Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour)

Last week on Wednesday, and again on Thursday, I and Deputy Sherlock raised on Leaders' Questions the scandal of abuse in nursing homes. We sought assurances from the Taoiseach on Wednesday and from the Tánaiste on Thursday in respect of protections against abuse. This week again we see more serious concerns raised, with HIQA's interim report released last night revealing to us that HIQA had heard of the 200 allegations of abuse against residents in Beneavin Manor made since 2022 and 40 more were disclosed in respect of residents in Portlaoise.

It is no exaggeration to say that trust in the model of private and for-profit nursing home care has been shattered since Aoife Hegarty and her RTÉ team broadcast the coverage of abuse and neglect of residents in those homes. Faith in the system of inspections has also been greatly damaged in this time. Unfortunately, the presentations of HIQA's CEO and chief inspectors at this morning's health committee has raised more questions than answers about the system of inspection and oversight. Residents of nursing homes deserves security, safety and dignity. That is all any of us want for ourselves and for our loved ones. We want to know that complaints will be taken seriously, that there will be zero tolerance of abuse, and that there will be real consequences for those who carry out abuse or for the management of nursing homes where abuse is carried out and facilitated.

The presentations made before today's meeting of the health committee will not have reassured anyone. Inconsistencies permeate in the interim report and in the opening statement. The process in place for escalating complaints, in particular, remains really unclear. HIQA's sole tool for responding to complaints appears to be restricting admissions, short of making a report to the Garda. What use is restricting admissions for those already resident in a home? Shockingly, it seems that an impugned home arguably has more authority to lift the restriction than even HIQA does. There is an issue about consequences. Serious concerns therefore remain about HIQA's capacity to keep nursing home residents safe.

There is also a pressing issue which arises from this morning's hearing. The report HIQA published last night gave the impression that the organisation was not on notice of all that the RTÉ team had unveiled prior to broadcast, and that the HIQA team did not know about it in advance. However, information shared with my colleague, Deputy Sherlock, shows that HIQA had received detailed protected disclosures prior to broadcast and that it received seven pages of correspondence from Aoife Hegarty herself 12 days before broadcast. This information included allegations relating to a third nursing home not featured in the RTÉ programme. When Deputy Sherlock asked this morning about this, HIQA's chief inspector was nothing short of evasive.

People need to know the extent of abuse in nursing homes. We need assurances that HIQA is capable of investigating and effectively addressing abuse. The horror stories of private nursing home facilities are spreading. We are all hearing them. Will the Taoiseach tell us how many Audeon Guys are suffering in silence throughout the country today? What will the Taoiseach do to ensure there is effective safeguarding in place? Will he introduce legislation before the summer recess? Will he ensure that HIQA has the necessary teeth to deliver sanctions where abuse occurs?

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