Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 398: To ask the Minister for Health the number of referrals of elder abuse the Health Service Executive received in 2008, 2009 and 2010; the action he will take regarding the fact that persons who are over the age of 80 years are three times more likely to experience abuse than other elderly age groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16585/11]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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The number of referrals of elder abuse received by the HSE Elder Abuse Service in the last three years were as follows: 2008: 1508 2009: 1916 2010: 2110 Policy in relation to elder abuse is derived from Protecting our Future, the Working Group on Elder Abuse Report 2002, which defined and set out a framework and programme of work to address elder abuse, and the 2009 Review of that Report. The HSE's Elder Abuse Service is comprised of a dedicated staffing structure throughout the country, unified data collection, national and regional oversight mechanisms, a research facility based in UCD and awareness and training programmes. The staffing structure provides for 32 Social Workers (Senior Case Workers) and 4 Dedicated Elder Abuse Officers. 30 out of 32 Senior Case Workers (including one temporary agency officer) are in position and HSE plans to fill the remaining vacancies are well underway. Systems to manage elder abuse referrals have been set up in areas where Senior Case Worker vacancies exist. Among the responsibilities of the Senior Case Worker, in conjunction with the appropriate health service providers, is the assessment/investigation and provision of supports where necessary, in relation to suspected cases of elder abuse. The duties of Dedicated Elder Abuse Officers include overseeing, reviewing and development of policies at local and national level.

At national level, the HSE publishes an annual report of the activities of the elder abuse service. The most recent report, concerning activities in 2010, was published on 15 June 2011 to coincide with World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. The report contains comprehensive information in relation to the wide range of activities undertaken by the HSE to address elder abuse in all its forms and outlines in detail the nature and scope of referrals received by the service during 2010. The report and a number of other relevant resources are available on the HSE website at http://www.hse.ie/eng/services/Find_a_Service/Older_People_Services/Elder_Abuse/ .

While it is evident that those over 80 are three times more likely to experience abuse, this is a function of the increased vulnerability, diminished capacity and increased reliance on others experienced by some people over 80. As the most recent HSE Report on the Elder Abuse Services points out, elder abuse and neglect are the potential outcomes of complex interactions between a multiplicity of social, economic, health, social isolation, education, environmental and individual characteristics.

The complexity of elder abuse underlines the need for a multi-agency, multifaceted approach that makes the prevention of such abuse a primary focus. It also emphasises that the responsibility for tackling elder abuse must be shared across the whole of society amongst all who are concerned with the well-being of older people in Ireland and particularly with those that are most vulnerable. The HSE, in partnership with many statutory and non-statutory organisations, is engaged in a wide range of activities to combat elder abuse and to respond to allegations in an appropriate and sensitive manner. The National Elder Abuse Steering Committee has multi-agency and multi-disciplinary representation in order to address complex issues often beyond the scope of the HSE. Further details are available in the report referred to above.