Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Health the extent to which elder abuse is going unreported; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7487/13]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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In 2010, the National Centre for the Protection of Older People, which is funded by the Health Service Executive, published its Report on Abuse and Neglect of Older People in Ireland. The Report found a significantly greater prevalence of elder abuse than is being reported. The under-reporting of elder abuse is a widely recognised issue internationally.

The HSE provides a comprehensive Elder Abuse Service aimed at tackling and preventing elder abuse. The Service is comprised of dedicated Senior Case Workers for the Protection of Older People (social workers), Dedicated Officers for the Protection of Older People, (regional coordinators), unified data collection, national and regional oversight committees, a national research facility, awareness raising and training programmes. Because of the nature of referrals to this service, all cases are prioritised and responded to as a matter of urgency upon receipt of referral. I urge anybody with concerns about elder abuse to contact the HSE.