Neasa Hourigan (Dublin Central, Green Party)
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405. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide an update on resolving any outstanding issues with the enduring powers of attorney online system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38851/24]

Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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On 26 of April 2023 my colleague the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth Roderic O'Gorman commenced the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015, bringing an end to wardship in the State for adults by repealing the Lunacy Regulation (Ireland) Act 1871 and replacing the wards of court system with the new process for appointing tiered decision support arrangements that is now in effect.

The Decision Support Service (DSS) has statutory responsibility for the operation of many of the provisions of the Act and commenced its operations in April 2023. Since then, I have personally, along with officials in my Department, met with and corresponded extensively with the DSS and other stakeholders in relation to Enduring Powers of Attorney (EPAs) and associated issues. In addition an Inter-Departmental Steering Group meets regularly to discuss and address issues as they arise in relation to the implementation and operation of the Act.

Having recently completed its first full year of operation, and on foot of stakeholder feedback on the process for applying for an EPA, the DSS has taken a number of steps to improve that process and reduce application processing times.

The DSS recently introduced a new accessibility policy, which includes an enhanced and dedicated helpdesk service to deal exclusively with the making and registration of EPAs, ensuring that individuals who require additional assistance in completing an online EPA application are supported in doing so. It also enables the DSS to ensure that the small cohort of individuals who are unable, for whatever reason, to utilize the online portal, are facilitated in making an EPA application manually. This has resulted in an uplift in digitally submitted applications, and a very limited demand for manual applications. This corrective action - together with the establishment of a temporary dedicated team of 10 staff to address the manual applications backlog - has already improved processing times and will further improve these timelines so that submitted applications complete the review stage, and are registered as quickly as possible. Individuals who require assistance or manual applications are being, and will continue to be, assisted and accommodated and are advised to directly contact the DSS.

I am satisfied that this enhanced helpdesk service, alongside the helpful instructional videos and other guidance material provided on the DSS website, will assist all users of the system to access any additional supports required.

Since April 2023, 827 EPAs have been registered with the DSS by members of the public, with 789 of those in 2024 alone, and almost 500 in the last three months. In addition to the registered EPAs, 1,186 EPAs have been submitted and are pending registration as per the requirements of the Act (meaning that they are awaiting the expiration of the statutory notice period and subsequent review by the DSS). There are a further 4,175 active draft EPA applications (meaning that the donor has completed the substantive application or is taking up supporting documents).

Extensive resources to support anyone wishing to make an EPA are available on the DSS website. The DSS can also be contacted directly at 01 211 9750 or at queries@decisionsupportservice.ie.