Skip to main content
Normal View

Assisted Decision-Making

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 December 2021

Thursday, 2 December 2021

Questions (128)

Pauline Tully

Question:

128. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the roles that have been filled within the Decision Support Service since the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 was passed in 2015; if there are unfilled roles within the Decision Support Service that will be required to be filled before it becomes operational; the roles in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59564/21]

View answer

Written answers

The Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 (the 2015 Act) is an important piece of legislation that represents significant legal reform. It changes the existing law on capacity from the status approach of the wardship system to a flexible functional approach, whereby capacity is assessed on an issue and time-specific basis. 

The Decision Support Service (DSS) is the organisation that will operate the progressive provisions of the 2015 Act.  To date, the Decision Support Service has made considerable progress in putting in place the administrative and IT systems needed to operate the 2015 Act. 

A budget of €7.3 million has been secured for the Decision Support Service in 2022. This represents an increase of €1.5 million compared to 2021 and a doubling of financial resources since the transfer of functions to my Department.

The Decision Support Service currently have a total of 20.5 Whole Time Equivalents (WTEs) across a range of different roles.

Additionally, the DSS is fully supported by the Corporate Operation functions within the Mental Health Commission, including Finance, Human Resources, IT, Procurement, Communications and also by the MHC General Counsel. On a pro-rata basis this equates to an effective 9.5 WTEs.

Currently there are 15 sanctioned roles to be filled within the Decision Support Service, including two assistant principals, an engineer grade, four higher executive officers, six executive officers and two clerical officers. There are also 2.75 WTE shared Corporate Operation roles currently unfilled. The DSS is working to fill these posts.

 

 

Top
Share