THIS PUBLIC CONSULTATION CLOSED ON 2 APRIL 2024. The consultation report will be published here when completed.
Read the press release about the public consultation on the department’s policy proposals on adult safeguarding in the health and social care sector: Minister Butler opens public consultation on adult safeguarding in the health and social care sector.
Visit the online portal page for further information: www.gov.ie/AdultSafeguardingConsultation.
Video message from Minister for Mental Health and Older People Mary Butler
The safety and protection of all adults who may be at risk of harm or abuse is an important priority for the Government. A framework of policies and procedures for the safeguarding of adults who may be at risk of abuse, harm and exploitation within the health sector is in place, and further measures are being developed to strengthen this framework.
In December 2017 the Government approved the development of a national adult safeguarding policy for the health and social care sector. The policy will apply across the wide spectrum of the health sector, i.e. in public, private and voluntary settings. The development of this policy is under way, assisted by a Steering Group which started its work in Quarter 1 2019. It is expected that the national health sector policy, when developed and approved, will be the basis for appropriate underpinning legislation.
Read the press release about the National Adult Safeguarding Policy developed for the health sector.
Read the Steering Group Documentation here.
The members of the Department of Health Steering Group are as follows:
| Member | Organisation |
| Ms Siobhán McArdle (Chair) | Department of Health |
| Ms Laura Casey | Department of Health |
| Ms Áine Kilroy | Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth |
| Mr Tim Hanly | HSE (National Safeguarding office) |
| Mr James Gorman | HSE (Patients’ Private Property Accounts Central Unit) |
| Dr Orla Healy | HSE (National Clinical Director of Quality and Patient Safety) |
| Mr Deaglán Ó Briain | Department of Justice and Equality |
| Dr JP Nolan | HSE (Quality and Patient Safety – Community Healthcare) |
| Ms Margaret Brennan | HSE (Quality and Patient Safety – Acute Operations) |
| Superintendent Derek Maguire | An Garda Síochána |
| Ms Margaret Hynds O’Flanagan | CORU |
| Mr Gary Kiernan | Mental Health Commission |
| Ms Carol Grogan | Health Information and Quality Authority |
| Ms Rachel Downes | Public Interest Representative/ Citizens Information Board |
| Dr Áine Flynn | Decision Support Service |
Terms of Reference and Engagement
Steering Group to assist the Department of Health in developing a national health sector adult safeguarding policy.
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Appendix 1
Stakeholder feedback (Principles) for a national health sector policy on adult safeguarding
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Discussion Paper: Primary Definitions
National Policy on Adult Safeguarding for the Health Sector. March 2019
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Background and History Note for Steering Group Members
National Policy on Adult Safeguarding for the Health Sector
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Development of a National Policy on Adult Safeguarding in the Health Sector
Background and Context
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First Meeting of Steering Group 13 February 2019
To assist Department of Health in its development of a national policy in the health sector
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Steering Group Discussion 13th February 2019
Stakeholder feedback on questions to cover in a policy on adult safeguarding for the health sector
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Department of Health Progress Report to Steering Group
National Policy on Adult Safeguarding in the Health Sector - 27 March 2019
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Primary Definitions
National Policy on Adult Safeguarding Policy for the health sector
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HIQA Presentation
Findings from the development of National standards for adult safeguarding
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Mtg 3 – DOH Exec Report to SG on project progress – 15 May 2019
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Mtg 4 - DOH Exec Report to SG on project progress 04 Sept 2019
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Mtg 5 - DOH Exec Report to SG on project progress 09 Oct 2019
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Mtg 6 - DOH Exec Report to SG on project progress 22 Nov 2019
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Health Adult Safeguarding Consultation Oct 2019 - Output Pack
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Evidence review to inform development of a national policy on adult safeguarding in the health and social care sector (Accessible version)
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Evidence review - Executive Summary (Accessible version)
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Evidence review (Accessible version) - Body of report (without appendices)
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Evidence review (Accessible version) - Appendices only
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Evidence review to inform development of a national policy on adult safeguarding in the health and social care sector
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Report on Adult Safeguarding Focus Groups with Health and Social Care Service Users
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Report on Adult Safeguarding Focus Groups - Executive Summary
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Report on Adult Safeguarding Focus Groups - Easy read version
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- HSE – Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults
- HSE – Adult Safeguarding and Protection Teams
- HSE – Patients’ Private Property Accounts
- HIQA and Mental Health Commission National Standards for Adult Safeguarding - Approved by Minister for Health
- HIQA and Mental Health Commission National Standards for Adult Safeguarding - Approved by Minister for Health
- Department of Social Protection
- Cosc – The National Office for the Prevention of Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (Department of Justice)
- Banking and Payments Federation Ireland – Guide to Safeguarding Your Money
- Safeguarding Ireland
- Law Reform Commission Issues Paper: A Regulatory Framework for Adult Safeguarding