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Dáil
‹ Order of Business

Elder abuse staffing

Summary

Deputy McGrath raises the shortage of elder-abuse caseworkers relative to referrals; the Taoiseach undertakes to have the Minister of State respond.

The Taoiseach might be aware that today is world elder abuse awareness day. This is a very serious issue. Under the health (miscellaneous provisions) (No. 2) Bill, is the Taoiseach aware that only 32 caseworkers in the entire country deal with this area and 13,000 cases have been referred to them? It is a huge area that needs to be addressed. It is a very sensitive and sad area. Deputy Howlin spoke about another area of abuse earlier. Only 32 staff are employed. They cannot get next nor near the amount of referrals they have.

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Enda Kenny The Taoiseach Fine Gael

Elder abuse is an issue that is of considerable concern. I will have the Minister of State, Deputy McEntee, correspond with the Deputy in respect of the matter he has raised about elder abuse.

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