James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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425. To ask the Minister for Health the actions he is taking regarding raising the awareness of elder abuse; the steps he is taking to tackle this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23999/17]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Health Service Executive published its national safeguarding policy and procedures, Safeguarding Vulnerable People at Risk of Abuse, in December 2014. This safeguarding policy was the first such HSE policy to encompass both elder abuse and concerns of abuse relating to people availing of disability services. The HSE has established a number of structures to implement its national safeguarding policy, including a National Safeguarding Office and a National Safeguarding Committee. Safeguarding and Protection Teams to deal with issues arising in this area have also been established in each of the nine Community Healthcare Organisation Areas.

There will be a national awareness raising campaign with regard to highlighting the Abuse of Vulnerable Adults during 2017. This campaign is being co-ordinated by the National Safeguarding Committee, which is an intersectoral committee made up of a number of state agencies and relevant non-governmental organisations. The campaign will focus on both the abuse and neglect of older persons and persons with disabilities. The HSE sponsors the National Safeguarding Committee and has provided financial support for the work of the Committee including the work on the awareness campaign. The campaign will include the use of printed media, radio interviews and images in newspapers. 

COSC, the State Agency with responsibility for the prevention of domestic violence, has also recently launched a "What would you do?" campaign regarding raising awareness of domestic violence. The campaign focuses on a different theme each month and as June 15 is World Elder Abuse Day, COSC will run advertisements on television and radio stations focusing on elder abuse during the month of June.