Àras Attracta internal inquiry has cost taxpayers €3m. to date - RTÈ reveals

The cost to the taxpayer of the HSE internal inquiry following revelations by RTÈ six years that some residents of Àras Attracta, Swinford, were mistreated by certain staff is €3 million to date.

According to a report on the state broadcaster's website today by Paul Maguire, editor of RTÈ Investigations Unit, the disciplinary process has yet to formally conclude.

There was a public outcry when the RTÉ Investigates documentary Inside Bungalow 3 was broadcast in December 2014.

The programme featured disturbing undercover footage of residents at the Áras Attracta facility – which cares for people with intellectual disabilities – being mistreated by some of the staff at the facility.

Mr. Maguire reported today: "In the wake of the programme, the HSE suspended 14 workers on full pay pending the outcome of its internal disciplinary process.

"Five of those workers subsequently resigned from their posts.

"Separately, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) and An Garda Síochána each launched investigations.

"The garda investigation led to criminal charges being taken against six members of staff.

"Now, as the sixth anniversary of the documentary approaches, new records released to RTÉ Investigates under freedom of information show that the HSE wage bill for the workers – suspended on full pay, pending the outcome of its investigation – had reached around €3 million by August of this year.

"At present, nine workers remain suspended on full pay, with their cumulative wage bill totalling €34,860 each month.

"The long-running saga illustrates the complexity of employment-related disputes for both staff and employers where healthcare workers are accused of mistreating care home residents.

"Meanwhile, the criminal cases involving some of the Áras Attracta workers have long since concluded.

"But the fact that the HSE's inquiry has not concluded raises questions about the length of time this process can take – as well as the enormous cost to the taxpayer of such investigations."

Mr. Maguire report can be accessed at https://www.rte.ie/news/2020/1002/1169043-aras-attracta-update/