National Safeguarding Ireland (Safeguarding Ireland)

Lobbying Organisation National Safeguarding Ireland

Date published 21 Sep, 2018

Relevant Matter Legislation

Public Policy Area Health

Period 1 Sep, 2018 to 31 Dec, 2018

Specific Details Letters and follow up meeting between the NSC and the Minister for Health to discuss key challenges in safeguarding adults at risk of abuse in Ireland. Communicate the Strategic Plan and progress to date with the Minister. Advocating for the requirement for interdepartmental working between Health, Justice and The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection in bring about positive outcomes for the most vulnerable members of Irish Society.

Intended results Secure increased resourcing for the National Safeguarding Committee to enable the strategic goals to be achieved. Enhanced cross departmental engagement to secure better outcomes for adults who are vulnerable and at risk of abuse Progress Adult Safeguarding Legislation- establishing a whole government approach Pending the Safeguarding Legislation- progress legislative changes that will provide equal protection for those residing in private nursing homes that have safeguarding concerns.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Patricia Rickard-Clarke, Chair National Safeguarding Committee

Did any Designated Public Official(DPO) or former Designated Public Official(DPO) carry out lobbying activities on your behalf in relation to this return? You must include yourself, and answer Yes, if you are a current DPO or a DPO at any time in the past. (What is a Designated Public Official?) No

Did you manage or direct a grassroots campaign? No

Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client? No

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Letter (1)

Letter outlined the strategic focus of the National Safeguarding Committee most notably in influencing government policy on the development on safeguarding legislation. Key shortcomings in current legislation were outlined. Currently responsibility for the development of policy and legislation lies with the Department of Health and the NSC would advocate for a whole government approach in line with international best practice.

Letter (1)

Nursing Homes Issue 1. Private Nursing Homes were excluded from the HSE’s 2014 Safeguarding Vulnerable Persons at Risk of Abuse: National Policy and Procedures but which the NSC believes should be addressed before the finalisation of the current review process. The NSC therefore suggests that pending the enactment of the detailed Adult Safeguarding Act that the opportunity be taken in forthcoming legislation being finalised this autumn in the form of the Disability (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2017 and the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Bill to provide for the underpinning of such policies by an appropriate legislative provision.

Meeting (1)

A number of members of the National Safeguarding Committee met with the Minister for Health to discuss 1 Strategic plan for the committee 2. Key developments including legislation/standards/ policy 3. Advocating for the need for cross departmental approach, in line with international best practice 4. Necessary resources required to progress the work of the committee

Designated public officials lobbied

The following DPOs were lobbied during this return period on this specific Subject Matter Area. These DPOs were involved in at least one of the Lobbying Activities listed above, but not necessarily all of them. As returns are specific to a Subject Matter Area the above Lobbying Activities may be associated with multiple returns.

Simon Harris Minister (Department of Health)