Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 December 2021
129. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if there is a code of practice in place for the Decision Support Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59565/21]
View answerThe Decision Support Service (DSS) is the organisation that will operate the progressive provisions of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Act) 2015 Act, and will respond to the complex decision-making needs of people with capacity difficulties.
In terms of the DSS's own governance arrangements, much of the activity of the Decision Support Service will be set out in primary law and directed by the provisions of the 2015 Act once amended and commenced, and by regulations prescribed by the Minister. Additionally, the DSS is currently based within the Mental Health Commission, and the governance arrangements that apply to the Commission. Arrangements have also been put in my own Department to support the DSS in becoming fully operational by July 2022 and to further ensure the proper governance of the Decision Support Service itself.
The Decision Support Service has the role under the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 to prepare or have prepared codes of practice for the guidance of decision supporters and professionals engaging with people with capacity difficulties. A range of draft codes of practice have been developed with the support of the National Disability Authority and of the HSE. Consultation on these codes of practice is currently ongoing and will continue into early January of next year.
