Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 January 2024
176. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth what mechanisms are in place for families to access funds needs for the care of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3156/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Decision Support Service (DSS) is the organisation charged with operating the provisions of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 (the 2015 Act), and as such are required to respond to the complex decision-making needs of people with capacity difficulties.
Where persons lack decision-making capacity and require decision-making supports to meet their ongoing needs, they can seek to put in place a decision support arrangement under the Act. This includes persons who are already availing of the Fair Deal scheme, via the Nursing Home Support Scheme Act 2009.
Persons can avail of different decision support arrangements by making an application for the appropriate tier of support. The DSS can support the making of applications, and can advise how to make an application, what steps need to be taken, and what documents need to be provided. The approach to be taken, and the tier of appropriate support, will depend on the specific circumstances of an applicant and the DSS will be able to offer assistance to persons seeking to access supports.
The DSS may be contacted directly for information regarding the making of an application and they endeavour to process all applications in a timely manner, and to respond to all queries relating to applications made under the 2015 Act. The DSS operate a website decisionsupportservice.ie/ which contains a portal for applications, and can be contacted at 01-2119750.
In some cases for higher tiered supports support needs or where urgent decisions may need to be made an application to the appropriate Circuit Court may be required. The Courts Service can provide information on how to make an application to the Circuit Court under Part 5 of the 2015 Act, stipulating which Circuit the application should be made to, which forms need to be completed, and what documents and evidence are required to support the application.
The Courts Service has information on making a Part 5 application here: courts.ie/assisted-decision-making-circuit-court and the relevant Circuit Court can be contacted, depending on the applicable Circuit in which you are making an application.
Parliamentary queries can also be sent to the Decision Support Service through publicaffairs@decisionsupportservice.ie.
