Eleven workers have been taken off duty at two Tipperary care units for people with intellectual disabilities following a number of complaints, the HSE has confirmed.

The care units in Roscrea are run by the Daughters of Charity on behalf of the HSE. After receiving a number of complaints from a person who had previously worked there about the care being provided, 10 staff members and one agency worker were taken off duty.

The Daughters of Charity said they first became aware of the complaint on December 15 and it is understood this is also when the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) was informed.

In a statement, the Daughters of Charity said that the allegations are ‘not of a gratuitously violent/sexual nature but any act which impinges on the rights and dignity of our residents is considered to be serious'.

It said that as a ‘protective measure', the 10 staff members have been placed on leave ‘while the allegations are being screened'.

Responding to the news, Minister for Primary and Social Care, Kathleen Lynch, said that she had ‘anticipated that more concerns of this nature would emerge following the recent revelations on Prime Time regarding Áras Attracta'.

Earlier this month, RTÉ's Prime Time aired Inside Bungalow Three, which focused on unit three of the Áras Attracta centre in Swinford in Mayo, a residential respite and day service for adults with intellectual disabilities.

The undercover footage showed residents being physically abused, shouted at, force-fed and humiliated (see more on that story here).

Minister Lynch said that a detailed examination of the Tipperary complaint is being conducted by the HSE, which has established a safeguarding team ‘to support the Daughters of Charity in dealing with these concerns'.

"I once again urge anyone who has concerns regarding the care of vulnerable adults to come forward and speak to the HSE, HIQA, the Ombudsman or the Gardai. They can also make a complaint under the Protected Disclosure or Whistle Blower legislation.

"It doesn't matter how the complaint is made as long as the information is given to the proper authorities who can properly investigate it," Minister Lynch added.