Donegal TD Pearse Doherty has called on the Government to do more to safeguard vulnerable adults.
His remarks come after two incidents of sexual abuse in nursing homes have been reported this week with one incident being in Donegal.
Deputy Doherty said “It is deeply concerning that these instances have happened when vulnerable adults are in the care of the state.
“It is even more concerning when you hear that accusations are not being dealt with properly.
“In Donegal, a Garda investigation is underway into an alleged sexual assault of a resident with an intellectual disability at a nursing home in Donegal.
“In the last 24 hours, we have also heard that a governance review into an HSE-run nursing home in another location in the state has revealed that further allegations were made against a staff member who has since been convicted of sexual assault.”
The Sinn Fein TD said none of the incidents were followed up in accordance with HSE safeguarding policy.
And he added the investigation has shown that there was a litany of mismanagement and failings in reporting abuse.
“This must be a time of distress for families who have loved ones in the care of the state.
“Only 3 years ago, we had the Brandon Report into sexual abuse by a resident at Ard Greíne Court in Stranorlar. This was intended to ensure measures were put in place to prevent such assaults happening at nursing homes in Donegal in the future.
“Families who are already concerned that the HSE have yet to publish the Brandon report will obviously be very concerned at news of these latest incidents.
“We need to ensure that these things do not happen again and that we safeguard vulnerable adults in the care of the state at all times.”
