Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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507. To ask the Minister for Health if he will reply to concerns raised and proposals offered by an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55564/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Safeguarding adults at risk of abuse, harm and neglect by others in the context of their interactions with the health and social care sector is a key objective of the Department of Health, every statutory body under its aegis, and every relevant service that interacts with such adults. A framework of standards, policies and procedures is in place for safeguarding adults within the sector who may be at risk.

My Department is currently finalising the development of a national policy on adult safeguarding in the health and social care sector, which will apply to all public, voluntary and private healthcare and social care settings and agencies. To date, the Department, assisted by a high-level Steering Group, has completed the stakeholder consultation and primary evidence development phases of this major policy development project. The related stakeholder feedback and research publications are available on my Department’s website at www.gov.ie/en/publication/2861af-adult-safeguarding/.

My Department is preparing for public consultation and intends to submit a costed draft policy to Government for its approval in the first half of next year. Legislation as required to underpin the policy will be prepared following its approval by Government.

The Irish Association of Social Workers (IASW) has, to date, been a welcome participant in the Department’s stakeholder consultation processes on the development of this policy, which is expected to build on existing structures, including social work led specialist safeguarding services. As my Department continues to finalise this national sectoral policy, it will be pleased to receive and take account of any further concerns or proposals relating to my Department's responsibilities in this area that may be submitted by our stakeholders, including the IASW. The planned public consultation exercise will be a further opportunity for all stakeholders to continue their engagement with my Department's ongoing policy development work on adult safeguarding in the health and social care sector.

The concerns and proposals forwarded to the Deputy by the Association include some matters which extend beyond the remit of my Department. In that regard I note that the Law Reform Commission is engaged in a separate legal research initiative on A Regulatory Framework for Adult Safeguarding across all sectors. My Department has published its response to the Commission's related Issues Paper on its website at www.gov.ie/en/publication/2861af-adult-safeguarding/.