RESPOND to ADULT ABUSE

Safeguarding Ireland encourages people to report any safeguarding concerns whether this is about yourself, or someone you know and care about.

If you have a concern about abuse, neglect or coercion the message from Safeguarding Ireland is to – Respond to Adult Abuse.

An immediate or serious risk of harm – the Gardaí

If there is an immediate and serious risk of harm to a person, the call the Gardaí at 999 or 112.

If the issue is serious but not urgent, contact your local Garda station. Also list of all Garda stations in the country is available at www.garda.ie.

If confidentiality is an issue – you can phone the Garda confidential line at 1800 666 111.

An ongoing concern – the HSE Safeguarding and Protection teams

The main provider of social work services to safeguard in Ireland is the HSE, which operates a service for all adults over 18 including adults with disabilities. The service is available Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm

The National Safeguarding Office is based in Limerick – safeguarding.socialcare@hse.ie – and there are nine regional Safeguarding and Protection Teams covering all community health regions in the country. A directory of contacts for all of the teams can be viewed at www.hse.ie/safeguarding

The teams are tasked to assess allegations of abuse or neglect and to intervene to address concerns (being mindful of the will and preferences of the adult at risk of abuse). The contact details for each of the nine regional teams are:

For questions about health services you can also contact HSE Live at freephone 1800 700 700.

Financial abuse – Banks’ Vulnerable Customer Support

The five major banks and An Post are members of the Banking & Payments Federation Ireland (BPFI), which has a website www.safeguardyourmoney.ie, with tips and advice to help you keep control of your money whatever your circumstances.

Each bank has set up a telephone support service for vulnerable customers. If you have any concern regarding financial abuse, misuse of a joint bank account or agency facility, you should contact the relevant bank.

  • AIB: 0818 227 056
  • Bank of Ireland: 1800 946 146
  • Permanent TSB: 1800 218 000
  • KBC Bank: 1800 804 472
  • Ulster Bank DAC: 1800 656 001

If you bank with a different institution, not listed here, they may also have support available and you should contact that bank directly.

If your concern does not relate to an account and is to do with day-to-day money management,  budgeting, or debt, the Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) www.mabs.ie may be able to assist, contact 0761 07 2000.

Social welfare payments – Department of Social Protection

If you have concerns about financial abuse of your social welfare payment, or the social welfare payment of someone you know and care about, you should contact, in confidence: Safeguarding Unit, Department of Social Protection, College Road, Sligo, F91 T384 /  safeguarding@welfare.ie  /  (071) 9193259.

Concerns about a health or social care service – HIQA

The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) is an independent authority established to drive high-quality and safe care for people using health and social care services in Ireland. The Authority does not have the legal power to investigate individual complaints, however information or concerns about services received are reviewed and assessed.

If there is a serious risk to the health and welfare of service users, HIQA may decide to take appropriate action. The Authority may also undertake, or be required by the Minister of Health to undertake, an investigation into the safety, quality and standard of healthcare services.

Further information is available on the HIQA website at www.hiqa.ie. Concerns can be submitted confidentially to concerns@hiqa.ie / (021) 240 9646.

Representative Organisations

There are also many national and local representative and support service organisations in the health, social, disability, financial services and aging sector. They do not have powers to investigate safeguarding concerns such as the Gardai or National Safeguarding Office but they may be able to support you with information and advices. Suggested organisations include: Also useful

Having your voice heard – Independent Advocacy

Sage Advocacy

Sage Advocacy is a national charity, which provides a support and advocacy service for older people, vulnerable adults and healthcare patients. Sage Advocacy will always stand up for the individual’s rights, respect their dignity and make sure their voice is heard – it works on the individual’s behalf, independent of family, to make sure that decisions are not taken without a person’s agreement. Sage Advocacy can provide immediate advice on a wide range of issues from rights, to making choices, care and support. Call: (01) 536 7330 or 1850 71 94 00 or email: 1850@sageadvocacy.ie 

National Advocacy Service

The National Advocacy Service provides an independent representative advocacy service for adults with disabilities, contact 0761 07 3000.

Help and guidance with a query – Safeguarding Ireland 

Safeguarding Ireland does not provide services, or cannot itself investigate abuse concerns, however we will be happy to help with directing concerns at info@safeguardingireland.org