Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Tuesday, 8 February 2022

Select Committee on Children and Youth Affairs

Estimates for Public Services 2022
Vote 40 - Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (Revised)
Vote 25 - Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (Revised)

Photo of Mark WardMark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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I am keeping one eye on the television screen because I am due in the Dáil Chamber any minute now. I ask the Chairman to bear with me if I have to leave. I thank the Minister for taking the time to meet the committee.

I refer to the assisted decision-making (capacity) (amendment) Bill on which the committee will be carrying out pre-legislative scrutiny. Key to this is the establishment of the decision support service, DSS. I know €5.8 million was allocated in the budget for this service. It is not due to be established until the middle of the year. Is it on course to be established in mid-2022? Has work been done to see whether the original budget allocation of €5.8 million is still adequate for the service?

I do not know whether the Minister can hear me. I have another couple of questions.