Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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407. To ask the Minister for Health to provide an update on his Department’s consideration of the Law Reform Commission's report entitled 'A Regulatory Framework for Adult Safeguarding', and its recommendations; the timeline he is working towards in drafting a new safeguarding Bill; if he will commit to establishing a new and fully independent national safeguarding authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30799/24]

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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As I indicated in my reply to the Deputy's question (18930/24) on this matter on 30 April 2024, safeguarding at-risk adults against abuse is of paramount importance and is taken very seriously by the Government. I have welcomed the independent Law Reform Commission’s Report on ‘A Regulatory Framework for Adult Safeguarding’, published in April. The Report sets out comprehensive and wide-ranging recommendations that have relevance across a range of Government Departments. I anticipate that the Commission's Report will be carefully considered by all relevant Departments in relation to their respective functions and in relation to the Commission's recommendations on inter-departmental cooperation. The Department of Health will continue to work in partnership with other relevant Departments in this regard.

Separately, the Department of Health, in liaison with the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, is at an advanced stage of developing a national policy on adult safeguarding specifically in respect of the health and care sector, in order to further strengthen existing protections in this sector. A public consultation closed on 2 April and the consultation feedback report is currently being prepared by the Institute of Public Health. It is expected that this Department's proposed policy will be finalised and brought before Government around the end of this year, informed by the consultation process and also the Law Reform Commission’s report.