04 Jun 2025 - Press Release IASW responds to RTE Investigates, Inside Irelands Nursing Homes.

The Irish Association of Social Workers respond to organisational abuse in RTE Investigates, Inside Irelands Nursing Homes. 

As the lead profession in adult safeguarding, the IASW regret to learn of the organisational abuse experienced by vulnerable residents in two private sector nursing homes, experiences which will be shared on RTE Investigates 4^th June 2025. 

We only know about this case due to excellent work of the RTE Investigates team. It is clear that existing regulatory and safeguarding structures were insufficient to protect vulnerable older people from organisational abuse. Successive Irish Government policies have ensured that 80% of Irish residents live in private, profit-making residential care. This is despite the known link between the private sector and poorer outcomes for residents*. This sector has weak safeguards, which is why television shows, rather than the system itself is identifying abuse. 

All eyes must now turn to Government. IASW asked for robust adult safeguarding legislation after the Brandon, Emily and Grace cases. The Government failed to act. We ask the Government to act now, in the wake of the RTE Investigates programme. 

While we acknowledge that the HSE and Government are working on new measures to improve adult safeguarding, these measures remain piecemeal. Both current and planned policies are not sufficient. The Law Reform Commission has provided a clear adult safeguarding legislative roadmap for Govt, delivery of anything less is unacceptable. 

It remains the case today in 2025 that social workers cannot adequately support or protect adults at risk of abuse in residential settings in Ireland. Nursing home staff are not legally mandated to report safeguarding concerns and all too often, organisational abuse is reframed and minimised as ‘poor care standards’. Social workers have no legal right of entry to private nursing homes to investigate organisational abuse. In the RTE Investigates show, HIQA repeatedly identified the same failings in one nursing home. This is clear evidence - while inspections can identify problems, our current regulatory system does not necessarily solve them. All of these conditions allow safeguarding concerns to arise and develop, without timely or appropriate intervention.

It is time for Govt to act. 

• The IASW call on Government to urgently introduce adult safeguarding legislation as recommended by the Law Reform Commission.
• The IASW call on Government to establish an evidenced informed review of the association between living in private, profit -making sector and poorer outcomes for older people. This review must inform Government policy in both residential and home care, to ensure older people have the right to receive person, rather than profit centred care.

IASW Spokesperson: Caroline Strong on 089 4264139

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*https://www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2025/0604/1509205-nursing-homes-investment-funds-ireland/