Gardai are investigating an allegation of sexual abuse against a staff member at a psychiatric hospital in Co Wexford.
A separate inquiry is being conducted by the South-Eastern Health Board into the claim by a female patient at St Senan's Hospital in Enniscorthy that she was abused by a male employee.
He is now on paid leave and will remain so until the board's investigation is completed, a spokeswoman said yesterday. Staff may only be suspended without pay in limited circumstances.
Gardai based in Gorey are investigating the complaint, which emerged during a counselling session at the hospital. The worker has denied the allegation.
St Senan's has 213 beds and is the biggest of the five psychiatric hospitals in the south-east. It offers acute, long-stay and respite care; addiction counselling services; out-patient services and community hostel and day-care facilities.