Adult Safeguarding Strategy Bill 2026

Public bill · Private Member · Introduced

Requires the Minister for Health to draw up a new adult safeguarding strategy within six months of the Act starting, and to renew it every three years. The strategy must set goals and actions to protect adults at risk, cover services such as care homes, hospitals, mental health services, home care, day services, Garda work involving vulnerable people, and similar settings, and may include oversight bodies, advice and advocacy, and court powers to limit harmful contact. Public bodies would have to act in line with the strategy, and the Minister would have to report each year on what has been done, what has not yet been achieved, and why. It matters because it would put adult protection on a regular, public footing and force follow-up, not just planning.

Formal long title

Bill entitled an Act to require the Minister for Health to prepare periodic strategic plans for the purpose of protecting certain persons who are at risk of harm, to make certain provisions in relation to the implementation and review of such strategic plans and to provide for related matters.

Last updated 9 July 2026