Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Sinn Fein)
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298. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when the decision support service will become operational; and the financial investment since the inception of the service. [27298/21]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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The Government made a commitment in the Programme for Government to commencing the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 (the 2015 Act), recognising the importance of the much needed reform it represents. The Government is working towards a date of June 2022 for full commencement of the 2015 Act, with the Decision Support Service opening for business immediately thereafter.

Before the 2015 Act can be commenced the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Bill needs to be enacted. This Bill is expected to be enacted by year end. Priority drafting has been secured and publication of the Bill is expected in the Autumn. The amendments will streamline processes, in the interests of those using its provisions. They will also strengthen the safeguards included in the 2015 Act.

The Decision Support Service has made considerable progress in putting in place the administrative and IT systems needed to operate the 2015 Act. €8,606,000 has been given so far to the Decision Support Service as follows:

€2,111,000 for 2018

€2,700,000 for 2019

€3,260,000 for 2020

€535,000 (out of a budget of 5.8m) for 2021.