The Minister of State for Equality, Disability and Mental Health has said he will examine in detail all complaints concerning residential homes for people with intellectual disability.
John Moloney was responding to reports that an average of three complaints a week have been made in the past two-and-a-half years against residential care staff who look after people with disabilities.
The Irish Times today reported that more than 500 such complaints have been made to the health authorities since mid-2007 - complaints concern alleged mistreatment, abuse or lapses in care of people with disabilities in residential settings.
According to records seen by The Irish Times, the most serious incidents include allegations of physical assault by staff.
Mr Moloney acknowledged that non-statutory inspections of such homes are not sufficient and said he will bring proposals for a statutory inspectorate to Government next month.
The minister said that National Quality Standards published by HIQA for these homes last summer will form part of the proposals.
However, John Moloney could not say how soon the inspectorate would be in place and said that cost implications of such a move have to be looked at.
More than 8,000 adults and 400 children with intellectual disabilities are in full-time residential accommodation.
The voluntary organisations which run the services receive about €1.5bn in State funding each year.
