Cormac Devlin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

1867. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of monthly applications received by the Decision Support Service for decision-making assistance agreements since the service became operational in April 2023; number of monthly decisions made in respect of those applications, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44611/25]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I thank the Deputy for their question regarding the Decision Support Service (DSS) and decision-making assistance agreements (DMAAs). A DMAA is the lowest tier of decision support provided for under the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 and can be registered with the DSS appointing a decision-making assistant, who can gather and explain material to the person, and can communicate the decision of the person to others. A decision-making assistant cannot make decisions on behalf of a person.

Please see below information as requested in tabular form. Updated statistics in relation to the registration of decision support arrangements are published monthly on the DSS website.

Cormac Devlin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

1868. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the breakdown of the number of Co-Decision-Making Agreement applications received by the Decision Support Service, by calendar month from April 2023 to date; the number of such applications that were approved or declined during each month; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44612/25]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I thank the Deputy for their question regarding the Decision Support Service (DSS) and co-decision-making agreements (CDMAs). A CDMA can be registered with the DSS appointing a co-decision-maker, who can jointly make a decision with the relevant person, and also gather and explain material to the relevant person, and communicate the decision on behalf of the relevant person.

Please see below information as requested in tabular form. Updated statistics in relation to the registration of decision support arrangements are published monthly on the DSS website.

If there are errors on the application that are capable of being corrected, the DSS will engage with the applicant. If the applicant ceases to engage, the DSS will make three attempts, using different communication, seeking to have the applicant re-engage and to resolve the errors, allowing the CDMA to be registered. If there is no response to these attempts after 8 weeks, the DSS commences with issuing a formal refusal. The applicant may also appeal a decision of the DSS if they so wish.

Cormac Devlin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

1869. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will provide monthly statistics from April 2023 to date on the number of applications made to the Decision Support Service or processed by it in respect of decision-making representation orders; the number of decisions made in each month, including any refusals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44613/25]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I thank the Deputy for their question regarding the Decision Support Service (DSS) and decision-making representation orders (DMROs). A DMRO is the highest level of decision support arrangement provided for under the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 and enables a decision-making representative appointed by the Court to take decisions on behalf of the relevant person, in line with the relevant person’s known will and preference.

Please see below information as requested in tabular form.

The above figures include orders that have been varied by the Court. This is where a change has been made to an existing registered order, and the varied order has been received and registered by the DSS.

The number of applications received from the court by the DSS is based on the number of perfected orders received by the DSS from the court, which are sometimes sent in batches by each court, and do not take into account orders which are then voided or duplicated. These are approximate numbers and do not reflect the number of orders made by the court each month.

Cormac Devlin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

1870. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of enduring power of attorney applications received by the Decision Support Service, by month since April 2023; , and the number of decisions made in relation to these applications that is registrations or refusals, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44614/25]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I thank the Deputy for their question regarding the Decision Support Service (DSS) and Enduring Powers of Attorney (EPAs). EPAs are a vital advance planning tool that enable adults to plan ahead for a time when they may have diminished decision-making capacity, ensuring that a person’s wishes are known and respected.

Please see below information as requested in tabular form.

If the applicant ceases to engage, the DSS makes three attempts, using different forms of communication, seeking to have the applicant re-engage and to resolve the errors, allowing the EPA to be registered. If there is no response to these attempts after 8 weeks, the DSS commences with issuing a formal refusal. The applicant may also appeal a decision of the DSS if they so wish.

The figures set out above indicate and increasing and robust engagement with the new framework for EPAs as provided for in the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015, and a growing awareness by adults of the importance of planning for the future.