Naoise Ó Muirí (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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2303. To ask the Minister for Health if she is considering the advice of the Law Reform Commission to regulate the provision of independent advocacy services in Ireland; if so, the form of regulation this is likely to take; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45511/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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The independent Law Reform Commission published a Report on ‘A Regulatory Framework for Adult Safeguarding’ in April 2024, together with a draft civil Bill and draft criminal law Bill. The Commission’s Report set out comprehensive and wide-ranging recommendations, including a number of recommendations in relation to independent advocacy, that have relevance across a range of Government Departments, including, but not exclusive to, the Department of Health.

Safeguarding adults who may be at risk of abuse is a key objective of my Department and every statutory body under its aegis and every relevant service that interacts with such adults.

The Programme for Government 2025 ‘Securing Ireland’s Future’ includes a commitment to publish a national policy on adult safeguarding for the health and social care sector. My Department, in liaison with the Department of Children, Disability and Equality, is at a very advanced stage of finalising this policy to further strengthen the existing protections in the sector.

To facilitate the development of appropriate legislation to underpin this sectoral policy, subject to its approval by the Government, the Government has included a Health (Adult Safeguarding) Bill in its current Legislation Programme. It is expected that these sectoral policy proposals will be brought before Government shortly, and that the preparation of related underpinning legislation will commence thereafter.

The Commission’s recommendations, where relevant, are informing the development of the aforementioned national policy on adult safeguarding for the health and social care sector.