Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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197. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide details on the discussions which have taken place to date in respect of the establishment of a national adult safeguarding authority; the expected timelines for the establishment if progressed and any other relevant information; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25080/23]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Adult safeguarding is an important matter for all of society, agencies and Government Departments. While every sector has specific safeguarding responsibilities for adults at risk within their remit, currently no one Department has an assigned lead or coordinating cross-sectoral role.

Safeguarding adults who may be at risk of abuse in the context of their interactions with the health sector is a key objective of my Department, every statutory body under its aegis, and every health and social care service that interacts with such adults. A framework of standards, policies and procedures is in place for safeguarding adults who may be at risk of abuse, harm, neglect, and exploitation within the sector. To further strengthen this framework, my Department is developing an overarching 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 under the Department’s remit.

Separately, the Law Reform Commission is undertaking a review on A Regulatory Framework for Adult Safeguardingacross all sectors. Upon completion, my Department will consider any recommendations the Commission may make and I anticipate that other Departments will do the same. In the event that the Commission's report includes recommendations relating to national cross-sectoral adult safeguarding structures, these would require consideration across all sectors and Departments and decision by the Government.