Mental Health Policy

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 February 2017

Tuesday, 7 February 2017

Questions (372)

Clare Daly

Question:

372. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the status of the recruitment of the director of the decision support service under the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5433/17]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The Assisted Decision Making (Capacity) Act 2015, which is the responsibility of the Department of Justice and Equality, provides for the establishment of the Decision Support Service within the Mental Health Commission to support decision-making by and for adults with capacity difficulties and to regulate individuals who are providing support to people with capacity difficulties. A Steering Group chaired by the Department of Justice and Equality has been set up to progress the establishment of the Decision Support Service and this work is ongoing.

Approval to advertise and recruit a person for the post of Director of the Decision Support Service has now been received from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and it is hoped that this post will be advertised shortly.