A programme, produced by the RTE Investigations Unit, will reveal the treatment of residents of a HSE funded facility - Aras Attracta in Co. Mayo.

The facility which opened in 1987 has just under 100 residents and the hidden camera footage captured by RTE shows a wide ranging scale of poor practices and, in some instances, abuse by certain staff members.

Barry O'Kelly, reporter with RTE's Investigations Unit joined Pat in studio this morning to talk about the programme.  

The producers sent an undercover reporter into Aras Attracta, posing as a work experience student. The footage was filmed over a three week period and shows instances of staff slapping, shoving, threatening and kicking and residents. 

"HIQA reported in June that there were good practices across the service"

The case of Bungalow Three in Aras Attracta came to light after a whistle-blower reached out to RTE with some shocking information. 

"Our information was alarming us and we had to go in to find out."

Barry O'Kelly explained to Pat how HIQA visited the facility in February to investigate, but issued a report back in June of this year

"HIQA reported back in June that there were good practices across all areas of the service and yet, that wasn't quite the case. To be fair to HIQA, their powers are quite limited - they can inspect and they can monitor but they can't carry out specific investigations". 

"Inside Bungalow Three" is produced by RTE Investigations Unit and will air on RTE One tonight at 9.35pm