430. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Health her plans to publish the Heads of a Bill on adult safeguarding; whether the published framework for adult safeguarding in the health and social care sectors will inform the legislation; and her views on whether the elderly and those with disabilities are vulnerable to threats and that safeguarding legislation is required. [67697/26]

"A National Policy Framework for Adult Safeguarding in the Health and Social Care Sector” was published in December 2025.

The policy framework will extend across all public, private and voluntary health and social care services and will cover all adults at risk in those settings. Adults at risk are defined as “persons aged 18 years or older who need help to protect themselves or their interests at a particular time, whether due to circumstances or personal characteristics, and may be at risk of experiencing harm by another party.”

It is now widely accepted that a more robust legislative underpinning is required to enhance

and strengthen adult safeguarding in the sector. Included in the policy framework are a range of both legislative and non-legislative measures that will significantly expand and strengthen existing supports and protections for adults at risk of harm across the health and social care sector. The Government has also approved the development of legislation to underpin these commitments. Key legislative commitments include:

• The Health Service Executive (HSE) will have responsibility for leading and coordinating adult safeguarding across the sector and will have statutory functions, duties, and powers to underpin this role.

• Current safeguarding structures within the HSE will be strengthened and legislation will provide that they will operate independently in the performance of their functions.

• New powers of entry for safeguarding and protection teams and powers to obtain court protection orders.

• The Health Information Quality Authority's (HIQA’s) remit will be extended to include independent oversight and monitoring of adult safeguarding services for the health and social care sector delivered by the HSE.

• New obligations for service providers including undertaking risk evaluations, developing, and publishing adult safeguarding statements and ensuring staff are appropriately trained.

• The introduction of mandatory reporting in specified circumstances.

• The National Independent Review Panel (NIRP) process for adult safeguarding learning reviews for serious incidents will be strengthened and placed on a statutory footing.

• Strengthened cooperation between service providers and relevant state agencies.

The Department of Health is actively working on preparing a General Scheme of a Health (Adult Safeguarding) Bill and it is expected to be published this year.