Three TDs set down similar questions asking the Minister when the Decision Support Service will be operational. The Minister has not answered the question.
This is because he recently gave a start up date for late 2020 but now there is no date - which raises questions about Minister Flanagan and Minister McGrath's ability to actually get this Service up and running at all.
There is a lack of transparency around the work involved, why there is such a delay, information on the numbers of people affected by this delay and there needs to be more openness and accountability about how this is being done. There is no engagement with those most affected - the actual Wards in the system - and their input is not sought.
There are many vulnerable people affected by this matter - the ADMC Act was signed in 2015.
The Minister is aware that the Wards of Courts system is not compliant with the UNCRPD and this needs to be corrected as a matter of urgency.
The families of Wards of Court are extremely frustrated and annoyed that this issue is being pushed out whilst other issues of less importance are on the Agenda.
If there are funding issues that are preventing the DSS being set up, the Minister for Justice and the Minister for Finance need to step up and show that they care about the human and civil rights of these people who need support due to various problems with their capacity to make decisions and provide the necessary funding to end this delay.
The Minister needs to ensure that the DSS is set up as a matter of urgency as discussed during the Dail Debate on Wards of Court in July last.
Mary Farrell
Posted on 18 Sep 2019 6:41 pm
Three TDs set down similar questions asking the Minister when the Decision Support Service will be operational. The Minister has not answered the question.
This is because he recently gave a start up date for late 2020 but now there is no date - which raises questions about Minister Flanagan and Minister McGrath's ability to actually get this Service up and running at all.
There is a lack of transparency around the work involved, why there is such a delay, information on the numbers of people affected by this delay and there needs to be more openness and accountability about how this is being done. There is no engagement with those most affected - the actual Wards in the system - and their input is not sought.
There are many vulnerable people affected by this matter - the ADMC Act was signed in 2015.
The Minister is aware that the Wards of Courts system is not compliant with the UNCRPD and this needs to be corrected as a matter of urgency.
The families of Wards of Court are extremely frustrated and annoyed that this issue is being pushed out whilst other issues of less importance are on the Agenda.
If there are funding issues that are preventing the DSS being set up, the Minister for Justice and the Minister for Finance need to step up and show that they care about the human and civil rights of these people who need support due to various problems with their capacity to make decisions and provide the necessary funding to end this delay.
The Minister needs to ensure that the DSS is set up as a matter of urgency as discussed during the Dail Debate on Wards of Court in July last.