Mr. Niall Brunell:

I thank the Minister of State and I thank the Deputy for his question. On the delay around assisted decision-making, it is worth noting that the Department and the Minister are still committed to enactment and commencement in the earliest possible course. The Minister recently met some members of the committee and other Senators on issues coming out of the Seanad Committee Stage debate. I reassure members that work is continuing in a concentrated effort to move as quickly as possible on that.

On the impact on home care and the questions the Deputy raised, assisted decision-making represents a significant reform that has an impact on a number of issues, but it is not necessarily determinative of progress on the other issues. I am not aware of a delay to other areas of work arising out of assisted decision-making's progress. It is an important element but it is not a barrier to progress in those areas.