The head of the Health Service Executive (HSE) has confirmed that a confidential informant has been appointed to handle allegations of abuse at care homes.
Tony O'Brien made the announcement at the start of a national summit to handle the fallout from the Prime Time programme on Aras Attracta in Co Mayo - which showed residents being kicked, force-fed, slapped and verbally abused.
Mr O'Brien says he is considering appointing undercover investigators to root out and prevent any further mistreatment at HSE homes.
He says lessons must be learned from Aras Attracta.
The HSE is hosting a "national summit for disabilities" today, at which senior personnel will outline the measures that have been taken to address the evidence of alleged abuse at Aras Attracta in Swinford, Co Mayo.
Minister of State with responsibility for Primary and Social Care, Kathleen Lynch, will also address the summit at Dublin's Aviva Stadium along with representatives from Department of Health and the Health Information and Quality Authority.
This evening, senior HSE officials are appearing before a Dail Committee to discuss the treatment of people with intellectual disabilities in care centres.
