Safeguarding Ireland has called on the next Programme for Government to commit to the implementation the recommendations of the Law Reform Commission (LRC) report on adult safeguarding (April, 2024).

The report recommends a regulatory framework for adult safeguarding in Ireland including structures, legislation and policies, within a rights based framework, particularly for adults who are at greater risk of harm due to a disability, age-related frailty, acquired brain injury or serious illness.

Safeguarding Ireland Chairperson Patricia Rickard-Clarke said the priority is the establishment of a new and fully independent National Safeguarding Authority, which is fully equipped with legislation and powers to coordinate safeguarding responses across all relevant sectors of society to protect at risk adults from harm, abuse, neglect and exploitation.

Call for progress on implementation of a Regulatory Framework for Adult Safeguarding

Ms. Rickard-Clarke also called on the new Government to commit to:

• Establish an interdepartmental / interagency Working Group to work towards the enactment of a comprehensive statutory framework for assessing and meeting the care and support needs of at risk adults
• Additional regulatory functions on HIQA, the Mental Health Commission, the Policing and Community Safety Authority and the Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Community Safety Authority – and that health care assistants and support assistants are regulated
• Statutory obligation and permission for information sharing between agencies both public and private where there is a safeguarding concern, and publication of regulations under the Data Protection Act 2018 regarding special categories of personal data for the interest of safeguarding
• A strengthened role for the Central Bank in preventing and addressing financial abuse and responsibilities for State Payments providers and the Department of Social Protection. Financial abuse of adults at risk, perpetrated by people known to the victim, should be recognised as a distinct form of adult abuse
• Broaden the offence of coercive control to apply to all persons beyond intimidate partner relationships, and the introduce new criminal offences including coercive exploitation and offences of abuse, neglect, ill-treatment and serious harm 
• Introduce safeguarding orders and warrants for access to a relevant premises including a private dwelling, removal and transfer orders, no-contact orders and the need in exercising any such powers for the least intrusive means possible to be used.

The LRC Report also includes two draft Bills, the Adult Safeguarding Bill 2024 and the Criminal Law (Adult Safeguarding) Bill 2024. Safeguarding Ireland urges that these Bills progress with urgency.

Further Information

Ronan Cavanagh, Cavanagh Communications: (086) 317 9731.

The Law Reform Commission report on a regulatory framework for Adult Safeguarding can be accessed here: https://www.lawreform.ie/news/the-law-reform-commission-publishes-report-on-a-regulatory-framework-for-adult-safeguarding.1141.html

Safeguarding Ireland promotes safeguarding of adults to protect them from all forms of abuse by persons, organisations and institutions and to deliver a national plan for promoting their welfare. See www.safeguardeingireland.org