Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said that the State failed in its care for a nursing home resident who was raped by a healthcare worker.
Mr Varadkar told the Dáil that an overseas safeguarding expert will be appointed to examine the case that would "strike terror into the heart of anyone living in a nursing home or anyone who has a loved one in a nursing home".
The healthcare worker, referred to as Mr Z, was jailed for 11 years for the rape of a resident who was known by the pseudonym Emily.
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RTÉ reported yesterday that an unpublished report by the National Independent Review Panel (NIPR) suggested the sexual assault at the HSE-run facility in 2020 was not a one-off event.
The review found that previous allegations were not followed up or acted upon.
Speaking in the Dáil, Mr Varadkar paid tribute to 'Emily', who has since passed away, as he remarked that the man was only in prison "because of the cognitive clarity and emotional strength of Emily who testified against him".
"I think we can all agree that it is a hugely distressing and shocking affair that strikes terror into the heart of anyone living in a nursing home or anyone who has a loved one in a nursing home," the Taoiseach said.
"These are supposed to be safe places and they almost always are, but in this instance, that clearly was not the case."
He continued: "It is important, as custodians of care services for older people, that we say, unequivocally, that we failed Emily, regardless of how much we were deceived by any one individual employee.
"Given that this was such a serious incident, we are obliged to look closely at the context, the safeguarding practices at the time and whether there are other issues of concern."
Mr Varadkar said that two reports have taken place to date. This includes the review by the NIRP and a safeguarding report to the Gardaí.
He later confirmed that a safeguarding expert from overseas will be appointed in the coming days to assist with another report.
"Neither the CEO of the HSE [Bernard Gloster] nor I are satisfied that we fully understand all of the issues in this facility or those arising in the wider care context," he added.
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