Wicklow Ranks High In Complaints Of Financial Abuse Against Elderly People

The HSE says research suggests immediate family members are most likely to be responsible for this type of abuse. 

According to details released under the Freedom of Information Act, the HSE got almost 2,300 complaints of elder financial abuse between between 2016 and 2018. 

The number of complaints rose each year, from 688 in 2016, to 790 in 2017, to 810 last year. 

The amount of cases found to have a 'reasonable grounds' rose from 37 per cent in 2016 to 51 per cent the following year. 

The regions of Ireland with the most complaints were the midlands, the Wicklow/Dublin southeast area and the Cork/Kerry region.

 The HSE says it's committed to safeguarding people who may be vulnerable and at risk of financial abuse.