Minister of State with Responsibility for Older People Kathleen Lynch has said she is "horrified" by reports of elder abuse at a Dublin nursing home.
The Health Information and Quality Authority last week obtained an interim court order to effectively shut down Rostrevor House in Rathgar after allegations of abuse of residents were made.
The Health Service Executive has taken charge of the nursing home as a result of the court order and is trying to find alternative placements for the home's elderly residents.
Speaking on RTÉ radio this afternoon, Ms Lynch said she was shocked by the allegations and said it showed the need to extend the powers of the authority to congretated settings where people with disabilities live and to community services.
Ms Lynch said the reports also highlighted the need for the introduction of whistleblowers legislation.
"Clearly people working in that care home were very perturbed about what was happening and the report actually says that they didn't want to be interviewed by Hiqa in their workplace and insisted on being interviewed away from it and that tells us something," she said.
"We need to ensure that even where people have a suspicion of any wrongdoing that they don't fear for their jobs, don't fear for their livelihoods in repeating their concerns," she added.
Age Action backed Ms Lynch's call for greater protection for whistleblowers, saying that those who care for vulnerable residents in nursing homes must be encouraged to report when sub-standard care is being provided and should be protected by statutory authorities from any recriminations from employers of colleagues.
“Front line carers have a vital role as advocates for those they care for. Their unique position means they see and hear things that nursing home inspectors are unlikely to be aware of. That was the case in Rostrevor House and was also the case of Leas Cross nursing home investigation in 2005," said spokesman Eamon Timmins. “Greater support for whistleblowers is essential if we, as a society, are serious about protecting some of our most vulnerable citizens."
Fianna Fáil's health spokesman Billy Kelleher said he was also shocked by the abuse allegations and called for them to be fully investigated.
"I think the action that has been taken on the part of Hiqa has been right and appropriate and has been taken in the context of the need to protect the health and wellbeing of residents," he said.
"As a result of this or any other investigation, if it is determined that more powers or scope is needed by Hiqa then the Government should move as a matter of urgency to amend legislation or provide whatever resources are required, and we will support any such measures," he added.
