Patricia Ryan (Kildare South, Sinn Fein)
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250. To ask the Minister for Health the current status of the new national safeguarding policy for the health and social care sector, as promised in budget 2023, with particular emphasis on the safeguarding of adults and older people, if any; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25335/23]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Safeguarding adults, including older adults, who may be at risk of abuse in the context of their interactions with the health and social care 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.

In the health and social care sector, a framework of standards, policies and procedures is in place for safeguarding adults who may be at risk of abuse, harm, neglect or exploitation within the sector, and new measures are being developed to further strengthen this framework.

Work in my Department to develop an overarching national policy on adult safeguarding in the health and social care sector (to be followed by related underpinning legislation), building on the robust structures already in place, is at an advanced stage. The policy will apply to all public, voluntary and private healthcare and social care settings and agencies under the Department’s remit.

My Department is now preparing to undertake a public consultation on this sectoral policy in the near future and aims to submit a costed draft policy to Government for its approval later this year. Subject to Government approval of this national sectoral policy, legislation as required to underpin the policy will be prepared. The introduction of safeguarding legislation remains a priority for my Department.

Patricia Ryan (Kildare South, Sinn Fein)
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251. To ask the Minister for Health the number of additional adult day care places for older people and dementia/Alzheimer's sufferers provided in CHO7 since Budget 2023, in tabular form; and the locations and accessibility for service users of those places, as such centres play a vital role in enabling older people and others with disabilities to live independently at home, while being able to access social and health services in their communities. [25336/23]

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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As these are operational matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.