The HSE is considering sending undercover inspectors into creches and care homes under its control.
The news comes ahead of a TV documentary tonight which will show footage recorded at part of the Aras Attracta facility in Swinford, County Mayo.
It was filmed by an undercover journalist for the RTE Investigations Unit last month.
Barry O'Kelly, who worked on the programme, says the footage of how one resident, Mary, was treated was shown to her family.
He said: "Mary was slapped, Mary was shouted at, Mary was treated in quite a rough manner, she was, what I would describe as man-handled.
"It was particularly shocking for Mary's sisters who believed that she was in good care.
"They had no reason to believe that this kind of thing was going on, it was very distressing for them to have to face up to this reality."