Brandon report
Deputy Pringle criticised the HSE’s handling of the Brandon case, saying vulnerable residents, staff and the truth itself were all badly failed. The Minister said the matter was being pursued by the relevant Ministers and that safeguarding legislation and the Brandon report’s publication were being advanced.
Yes. I will speak to the Brandon report. This is a long, drawn-out saga and what stands out to me is that HSE management failed the residents of Ard Greine Court, who are vulnerable adults for whom we as a society are asked to care. HSE management also failed Brandon, a highly vulnerable adult. Importantly, in the ensuing mismanagement of the case, the HSE has failed its front-line staff as well. The concealment of the truth at any cost, which to my mind is the only conclusion one can draw as being the modus operandi of the management's response, is dictated from the very top of the HSE. This leaves the staff on the ground abandoned even though they were the ones highlighting the problems throughout. This is not a Donegal or CHO 1 problem alone. It is a national problem. Previous Governments tried a similar thing with Garda corruption, in that they tried to box it off and claim it was only in Donegal. We saw where that got us.
The Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, is conducting a review of safeguarding in Donegal. It should be published when completed and I ask the Minister to ensure that it is. The Minister of State intends to, but the whole of the Government must ensure that it is because doing so would be vital for all of our citizens.
Comment on this
I acknowledge Deputy Pringle's track record on this issue and the fact that he has raised the Brandon report in particular many times in the House and with our colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, who has taken a keen personal interest in the matter. She has been to Donegal and held a series of meetings on the matter there. She is most anxious that the full details in the Brandon report be published as soon as possible.
Separately, the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, is introducing a safeguarding Bill. She expects to have it before the Oireachtas before the end of this year. That will provide an opportunity for the Oireachtas to tease out these issues in detail and ensure that we have adequate safeguards in place for vulnerable people who are under the care of the State.