Written answers

Monday, 8 September 2025

Department of Children, Disability and Equality

Residential Institutions

Photo of John McGuinnessJohn McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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1955. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if all persons being supported in full-time State-funded residential services across the country have the relevant supports they require under the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015; the person or body responsible for ensuring such persons are being supported to access the supports provided in the Act, especially for those who lack capacity in many areas; the number of other persons nationwide in similar situations to the 'Grace' foster home abuse case, who are not wards of court but should have been (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45822/25]

Photo of Hildegarde NaughtonHildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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This Government takes matters in relation to safeguarding very seriously and values and appreciates people coming forward to report safeguarding concerns to the appropriate professional bodies and authorities.

The Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) 2015 Act brought about 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. This provision contributes to the realisation of Ireland’s ambitions to meet certain requirements under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) and the European Convention on Human Rights.

As this question is specifically in relation to residential service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly.

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