It is alleged that a patient at the Áras Attracta care home in Co Mayo was forced to withdraw allegations of abuse against a staff member, after being confronted by them.

Fianna Fáil's spokesperson on disabilities, Colm Keaveney, told Newstalk he has spoken to the family of the patient involved.

He says the family raised concerns as far back as 2005 about physical assaults on their relative, but the matter was not referred to health authorities or the gardaí.

It is also alleged no disciplinary action was taken.

The Health Service Executive (HSE) says there is no record of any such complaint.

In a statement, the HSE says: "The HSE accepts that there were significant issues with governance and management in that facility up to the beginning of this year (2014), as evidenced in the HIQA report following it inspection at the facility."

"59 recommendations flowed from that HIQA report - and all 59 recommendations have been implemented."

"This included a change in governance and management at the facility."

"Should such an alleged complaint arise today - the HSE is confident that it would be dealt with and managed in an appropriate manner in line with the policy for safeguarding vulnerable people," it adds.

It comes after an RTÉ programme aired last week, showing abuses of residents at Áras Attracta.

The footage, recorded using hidden cameras, showed residents being dragged across the floor, kicked, threatened and hit. One woman in her 50s, suffering from an intellectual disability, was denied access to the toilet.

Mr Keaveney spoke to the Sunday Show on Newstalk about how this case came to his attention.