The Taoiseach has said revelations of abuse of residents at the Áras Attracta centre for intellectually disabled adults in Swinford, Co Mayo were "frightening, sickening and infuriating".
But Enda Kenny rejected calls from Opposition leaders for an independent investigation of the scandal.
The Ombudsman has said his office can examine complaints about the Health Service Executive and all HSE-run centre, including nursing homes.
Peter Tyndall had asked the Government to empower his office to investigate complaints against private nursing homes.
Raising last night's exposé by the RTÉ Investigations Unit during Leaders Questions, Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin said the three residents featured had been subjected to torture and to physical and mental abuse.
He said that staff in their bungalow had only ten hours training and this could be seen on camera.
He called for an independent inquiry into what happened and into the culture and practices there.
Mr Kenny said last what last night's programme showed was not an example of care but of control over vulnerable, voiceless people, which he found sickening.
He said following a HIQA examination during the summer there are a number of investigations ongoing, that all of the RTÉ footage had been handed to the gardaí and he did not want to prejudice any potential outcome.
He explained that the implementation of a 2011 report recommending the phasing out large care settings like Áras Attracta has not happened because of the economic situation.
Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams echoed calls for an independent inquiry and said if the Taioseach did not know what review mechanisms are in place, he should say so.
Meanwhile, a sister of one of the residents in the home has said she is shocked beyond words by the footage captured by the RTÉ Investigations Unit.
RTÉ Investigations Unit: Inside Bungalow 3
Speaking on Today with Seán O'Rourke, Sheila Ryan described the treatment of her sister Mary Garvan, 65, in Áras Attracta as torture.
"Torture is an evil in society and has to be rooted out," she said.
Ms Ryan said she was horrified to see some people being kicked, force-fed and a manager sitting on a woman at the residential home.
The former Department of Justice official said she took no comfort from the investigations which had now been ordered.
"These are closed-door inquiries. We need a public inquiry into this. I am calling on the Taoiseach and Minister for Health to instigate a public inquiry. Do not wait for somebody to die.
"We as a nation have to do something about this," she said.
Frieda Finlay, a former chairperson of Inclusion Ireland, said: "This is a damning indictment of the way we look after people with intellectual disabilities."
The Psychiatric Nurses Association said the revelations were deeply disturbing.
PNA general secretary Des Kavanagh said the incidents caught on camera would shock and disturb the many thousands of nurses working across Ireland who deliver care to the highest standards.
He said the PNA, families and the local community had been raising concerns about Áras Attracta for a number of years.
The Prime Time programme featured undercover footage of substandard care of people with intellectual disabilities.
Responding to the investigation, the HSE said it accepted responsibility for the abuses which took place, and an independent investigation had been established to deal with the issues raised.
Nine workers have been suspended on full pay pending the investigation.
The HSE has set up a helpline for concerned family and members of the public.
It can be contacted at 1850 241 850 from 8am to 8pm from Monday to Saturday.
Minister for Primary and Social Care Kathleen Lynch said in a statement this morning: "I am shocked by the revelations of extremely poor and unacceptable standards of care in Áras Attracta.
"Every person who uses disability services is entitled to expect and receive supports of the highest standard and to live in an atmosphere of safety and care.
"This is particularly important for vulnerable people in residential care whose families have entrusted them to the care of professional staff," said the minister.
She welcomed the immediate response of the HSE to alert gardaí and the Health Information and Quality Authority and, for the protection of both residents and staff themselves, to put a number of workers 'off-duty' while the allegations were being investigated.
"I have been assured that the HSE's priority is to protect the very valuable services that people residing in Áras Attracta receive as a critical support to them and their families.
"I am aware that the HSE has contacted families of residents in Áras Attracta offering to meet with them.
"I would encourage families and concerned members of the public to contact the HSE's information line at 1850 241 850," she said.
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