Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 July 2023
443. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will support the establishment of a national council on advocacy to assist in developing common quality standards across providers of independent advocacy services, minimum datasets for reporting, validated measures of outcome and continuous professional development; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33804/23]
View answerIn relation to your query regarding the establishment of a National Advocacy Body, this is more appropriately addressed to the Minister of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.
In relation to existing independent advocacy services funded by my Department, the National Advocacy Service for People with Disabilities (NAS) is funded and supported by the Citizens Information Board (CIB), a statutory body under the aegis of my Department.
NAS has a mandate under the Citizens Information Act 2007 and Comhairle Act 2000 to support the provision of advocacy for people with disabilities. NAS provides a free and confidential issues-based representative advocacy service to adults with a disability. NAS has a particular remit for people with disabilities who are isolated from their community and services, have communication differences, are inappropriately accommodated, live in residential services, attend day services, or have limited informal or natural supports.
Separate to its functions under CIB, NAS also operates the Patient Advocacy Service (PAS). PAS is commissioned and funded by the Department of Health and is a free, independent and confidential service that provides information and advocacy to people who want to make a formal complaint through the HSE ‘Your Service, Your Say’ complaints policy, in relation to their care in a public acute hospital or in the aftermath of a patient safety incident. PAS also provides advocacy to users of HSE funded nursing homes.
In addition, my Department, through funding to CIB, also funds the Citizens Information Service, which, through a national network of Citizens Information Centres, provides free and confidential advocacy services, as well as information and advice.
