Ireland Needs a Safeguarding Law Now – Don’t Leave Them Behind
Last night’s RTÉ Investigates documentary revealed harrowing examples of neglect and systemic failure in two Irish nursing homes—The Residence Portlaoise and Beneavin Manor in Glasnevin—both run by Emeis Ireland. Vulnerable older residents were left without proper care or protection. The nation watched in horror, but for many families and campaigners, this was not news—it was confirmation of what they’ve long feared: Ireland has no real safeguarding law to protect its most vulnerable.
The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) confirmed that it had previously stopped admissions to The Residence Portlaoise due to significant concerns identified through inspections. It is now taking further action in response to the RTÉ revelations. HIQA conducted over 840 nursing home inspections in 2024—84% of them unannounced—yet it acknowledges that a small number of facilities continue to “struggle to maintain compliance”.
Minister for Older People Kieran O’Donnell described the programme as “a wake-up call for everyone” and confirmed that he met with HIQA to push for faster inspections and stricter oversight. He stressed that while the majority of homes provide good care, the system cannot allow persistent non-compliance to continue unchecked.
At Don’t Leave Them Behind, we fully support the Minister’s call for stronger enforcement—but that’s only one part of the solution. What Ireland urgently needs is a comprehensive safeguarding law.
Despite a 2017 draft Adult Safeguarding Bill and repeated commitments in the Programme for Government, no such legislation has been enacted. Vulnerable people—older adults, those with disabilities, those in residential care—are left at the mercy of fragmented policy, overstretched regulators, and reactive measures taken after harm has occurred.
A real safeguarding law must:
- Mandate legal obligations on all care providers.
- Require mandatory reporting of abuse or neglect.
- Empower an independent safeguarding authority.
- Ensure transparent enforcement and accountability.
- Prioritise the voice and rights of the person at risk.
Safeguarding cannot rely on the aftermath of exposés to drive action. We cannot wait for another documentary, another investigation, another scandal. What last night’s programme exposed is not an isolated incident—it is the result of a systemic vacuum that fails to prioritise protection.
Mr O’Donnell says he wants a national safeguarding policy brought to Cabinet before the summer recess. That must go further. We need legislation—clear, binding, and enforceable.
To every public representative: the time to act is now. Vulnerable people in Ireland are being left behind. Their protection should not be optional. It must be law.
Take action with us. Demand safeguarding legislation now. Contact your TD, share your story, and support our campaign at www.dontleavethembehind.com.
Because dignity, safety, and care should never be negotiable.