The Minister for Health, Leo Varadkar, said the case of an elderly man whose relatives say was treated poorly by the health service is very upsetting.
The family of Dubliner Gerry Feeney claim he was treated without dignity during his stay at Beaumont Hospital in December.
On one occasion, a relative found the 81-year-old, who had Parkinson's, sitting in a soiled nappy in public view.
Mr Feeney died last month at a nearby nursing home, and an investigation is now underway.
Minister Varadkar said that while he cannot comment on individual cases, he finds it very disappointing based on reports in the media.
"I'm not in a position to comment on individual cases and I don't have access to any individual patient records," he said.
"But obviously I'm always very disappointed when I hear of stories whereby people don't get the standard of medical care and nursing care they deserve - and certainly what I've heard of that case is very upsetting."