Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I do not think it did. The DSS was established a number of years ago and so it is an organisation that exists. Obviously, it has not been undertaking the very significant range of tasks set out for it within the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act. It will now be undertaking the appointment of decision supporters. Where complaints are made, it will be looking at those complaints. Its range of day-to-day functions will be very significantly enhanced and increased and that is why additional money is being provided for it this year.

Regarding what happens next, I recently spoke at the Joint Committee on Disability Matters. Five statutory instruments need to be passed to initiate the 2015 Act finally. Because of the importance of the work decision supporters are doing, many of the rules on how they operate will be set out in statutory instruments. It needs to be very clear because it will be taking responsibility for decisions. My departmental officials are working on drafting those regulations. Over the coming weeks I will be issuing each of those five sets of regulations. We hope to have the system up and running by quarter 2 of this year. I know I am being a little vague there. I do not have the precise timeline for all five right now. I might come back to the Deputy on that.