One in eight people who witnessed the abuse of a vulnerable adult in the past year did nothing, it has emerged.

Just 2% of all safeguarding concerns are made by those who may have been abused, it has emerged.

A national campaign to help stamp out financial abuse of vulnerable adults gets under way today against a backdrop of a 44% rise in the number of alleged cases.

“Granny dumping” in nursing homes, pilfering from pensions, and lack of clear obligation on the State to protect vulnerable adults are among the reasons adult safeguarding legislation was needed, an Oireachtas committee heard.

One in three people have either personally witnessed or suspected the physical abuse of a vulnerable adult — very often in the home.