The Labour Court upheld the finding against Lareina Kirwan in her appeal over a protected-disclosure complaint against Oaklodge Fostering Ltd. The determination was dated 30 September 2021.
Kirwan, a placement support worker, said she raised concerns about supervision, placements, foster-carer support and health and safety at a meeting with her supervisor in April 2018. She argued that a disciplinary process and a 50% cut to her wages were penalties. Oaklodge disputed that she had made a protected disclosure and said HIQA had already raised the issues.
The Court found that the information Kirwan relied on was already common knowledge within the organisation. It concluded that she had not made a protected disclosure, so her appeal failed and the Adjudication Officer’s decision was upheld.