AQW 49720/22-27

Mrs Diane Dodds
Democratic Unionist Party
Upper Bann

Tabled Date: 26/06/2026
Answered On Date: 24/07/2026
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health whether he has any plans to give adult safeguarding equivalent status to child protection, including making it a delegated statutory function.

Answer:

The Muckamore Abbey Hospital Inquiry Report details a number of important recommendations such as giving adult safeguarding equivalent status to child protection and making it a delegated statutory function. Officials are preparing a paper for consideration by the Adult Safeguarding Transformation Board, which will be informed by legal advice. This will include this consideration of this recommendation and any others which may impact on the Adult Protection Bill. My officials will also engage with the Committee for Health in relation to any decisions made by the Transformation Board.