Colette Kelleher (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank everyone for the cross-party support I received for the Adult Safeguarding Bill which I brought forward last Wednesday in Private Members' time. I am looking at the next steps to be taken to progress this urgent legislation. I would be delighted to have the continued input and support of the House. Yesterday the national safeguarding committee chaired by Patricia Rickard-Clarke launched the findings of its RedC poll on vulnerable adults in Irish society. I recommended that people look at the report. Some of the findings are stark and timely, given our recent debate. It is clear from the findings that adult abuse is widespread. Two in five people think vulnerable adults are treated badly, while 48% claim they have experienced abuse of a vulnerable adult. Half of the people under the age of 34 years do not know what to do if they encounter a situation where a vulnerable adult is being abused. It is clear that we need to move the Adult Safeguarding Bill forward as quickly as possible.

I ask the Leader if the invitation to the Minister of State with responsibility for equality, immigration and integration to discuss the migrant integration strategy can be reissued. The issue is really important and it would be great to see time being allocated to discuss it again.