Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 February 2022
541. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will report on the training and information that will be provided to persons that will use the decision support service; the consultation that will take place with persons prior to developing the training; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8229/22]
View answerThe Decision Support Service (DSS), the organisation that will operate the provisions of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015, will respond to the complex decision-making needs of people with capacity difficulties. 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.
As part of this IT infrastructure, a full range of publicly available information will be uploaded to the Decision Support Service website, allowing for interested persons to access real time information. Forms and guidance may also be downloaded from the website. Furthermore, the public will be able to contact the Decision Support Service who can provide bespoke assistance to individuals. Details of the training that will be provided to persons using its services are matters for the Decision Support Service.
The Decision Support Service is currently in the process of undertaking a broad consultation exercise on the codes of practice that will govern the operation of decision support arrangements, with two phases of public consultation taking place between November 2021 and February 2022. This information will be available for those interacting with the Decision Support Service, as well as for various professionals engaged in support or other arrangements.
Other agencies such as the Courts Service and Health Service Executive are undertaking training exercises, with the support of the Decision Support Service, to ensure that staff are prepared for the commencement of 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 the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth in 2020, and will ensure that the Service is properly resourced for the demands on its service.
