The HSE has said it is to spend €1.2 million implementing a new national policy on the protection of vulnerable people from abuse.
The policy will apply to older people and people with disabilities who, as a result of physical or intellectual impairment, may be at risk of abuse.
The new policy is effective immediately and is for all staff employed by the HSE and at HSE-funded services.
HSE Director of Social Care Pat Healy said the new policy would ensure a consistent and robust approach to the protection of vulnerable people from abuse.
He said all services would have a publicly-declared no tolerance approach to any form of abuse.
The HSE says the new policy was developed over the past year.
The announcement of details of the new policy this morning comes ahead of a documentary from the RTÉ Investigations Unit- due to be broadcast next Tuesday night- which deals with allegations of ill-treatment of residents at the HSE-run Áras Attracta, Swinford, Co Mayo.
