The National Advocacy Service was established under the Citizens Information Board in January 2011, to provide an independent , confidential and free, representative advocacy service to vulnerable people with disabilities who cannot self advocate, while supporting others to use mainstream services. The Budget assigned to the National Advocacy Service in 2012 is €3.2m During 2011 the service was established across the country. The service is managed by five Citizens Information Services in Dublin (Clondalkin), Westmeath, Offaly, Waterford and Leitrim and staffed by five Managers, 35 advocates (full-time equivalents) and five administrators.
The aim of the National Advisory Service is to ensure that the voices of people with disabilities are heard and their rights safeguarded. The Service has a particular remit for people with disabilities who cannot self-refer, who are isolated in the community, or living in residential institutions. It offers an independent advocacy service to help protect their rights, help them gain their entitlements, obtain a fair hearing and make positive changes in their quality of life. The experience to date is that in the majority of cases the co-operation of disability services providers is forthcoming and in cases where advocates have experienced some difficulties they continue to work with these providers to seek the best outcomes for their clients.
As the National Advocacy Service has been in operation for almost two years, an independent review of the service is currently underway. The review will encompass all aspects of the service, including whether consideration should be given to the provision of statutory powers for advocates or whether alternative approaches could be used to support the service assist people with disabilities to secure their rights and entitlements. The review is due to be completed in early 2013.
