Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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1321. To ask the Minister for Health when the decision support service within the Mental Health Commission will be established; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1787/17]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Assisted Decision Making (Capacity) Act 2015, which is the responsibility of the Department of Justice and Equality, provides for the establishment of the Decision Support Service within the Mental Health Commission to support decision-making by and for adults with capacity difficulties and to regulate individuals who are providing support to people with capacity difficulties. The commencement of the 2015 Act is a matter for the Department of Justice and Equality. A Steering Group chaired by the Department of Justice and Equality has been set up to progress the establishment of the Decision Support Service and this work is ongoing.

Approval to advertise and recruit a person for the post of Director of the Decision Support Service has now been received from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and it is expected that this post will be advertised shortly.