Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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1018. To ask the Minister for Health when the new investigation team will be put in place to deal with reports of abuse on residents and clients in Health Service Executive homes by members of staff, in order that all incidents are investigated in a timely manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31481/15]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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The Government is very committed to the protection and safety of our most vulnerable citizens and placed regulation and inspection of residential disability centres on a statutory footing in November 2013. Every person who uses disability services is entitled to expect and receive care of the highest standard and to live in dignity and safety. People with a disability should be able to maximise their potential and live rich and fulfilling lives.

The HSE is implementing a comprehensive change programme of measures to improve the quality and safety of residential services for people with disabilities. The implementation of the new National Policy on Safeguarding Vulnerable Persons at Risk of Abuse, launched in December 2014, is being proactively rolled out across the 900 designated centres in both statutory and voluntary services.

The policy will ensure a consistent approach to protecting vulnerable people from abuse and neglect. The HSE has taken a number of actions to support this initiative, including putting 9 safeguarding teams in place in each new community health care organisations. 12 additional social workers and 9 additional principal social workers have been appointed. In addition, designated officers are in place and training programmes commenced in August for all residential services.

The Department of Health will continue to monitor developments on this initiative.