Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 December 2021
167. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health if a mandated single point of contact within the Department was appointed to coordinate preparations with the Decision Support Service for the aspects of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 that the Department is responsible for delivering; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59570/21]
View answerThe Department of Health strongly supports the implementation of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 which aims to ensure person-centred human rights and equality in decision-making, in line with best international standards. Policy responsibility at Departmental level rests in the main with the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.
It is acknowledged that implementation of the 2015 Act has operational implications across health and social care. The HSE National Office of Human Rights and Equality Policy was established to support health and social care services to prepare for the commencement of the 2015 Act and builds capacity for the provision of safe, person-centred care based on respecting the individual rights of each person.
There are no plans to appoint a single contact point within the Department of Health in advance of implementation of the 2015 Act. The Department is a member of an inter-Departmental Steering Group, chaired by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, for the establishment of the Decision Support Service. In addition, Department officials from a range of policy areas across health and social care also engage with the Decision Support Service and with their counterparts in the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to progress this important work.
The HSE is a member of the inter-Departmental Group through the HSE National Office of Human Rights and Equality Policy.
