3019. Deputy Maeve O'Connell asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality when the solicitors portal enabling the applications of enduring power of attorney, as committed to in the Programme for Government will become available. [58390/26]

I thank the Deputy for their question regarding the application process for Enduring Powers of Attorney (EPAs).

Ensuring that the EPA application process is as user-centric and accessible as possible is a priority for the Department and for the Decision Support Service. 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.

The Department has had extensive engagement with the legal profession, through the Law Society of Ireland, in respect of the EPA application process. The Department met with both the Law Society and the Decision Support Service in September 2025 to discuss any issues of concern in respect of the 2015 Act, particularly as it relates to the role of the legal profession in the EPA application process, to provide any required clarification on the application process and how the legal profession can, and are, engaging, and to agree next steps.

In that regard, in October 2025 the Decision Support Service hosted a workshop for the Law Society of Ireland in order to identify the specific functionality sought by the Law Society in respect of a solicitors portal.

The Department awaits feedback from the Law Society following that workshop in order to progress a resolution to any remaining concerns.

In February 2026 the DSS launched a dedicated new website - www.myepa.ie - designed to guide individuals step by step through the process of creating an EPA in a clear and accessible way. The site brings together all relevant information and supports in one place and is intended to assist donors, attorneys, family members and legal professionals alike in understanding the EPA application process. It also provides guidance on future planning and offers reassurance that support is available throughout the process.

It is important to note that, although it is the prerogative of any donor to instruct a solicitor in the making of their EPA, it is not a requirement of the 2015 Act. There is no impediment to solicitors accessing the online application portal on behalf of their client, should they be engaged to complete the EPA process from end-to-end.

In cases where a solicitor has not been engaged end-to-end, donors have still been able to take up the legal practitioner statement, which is a required supporting document of all EPA applications. 18% of all registered EPAs since commencement have had solicitor assistance, with 82% of EPAs registered having been completed without solicitor assistance. For those who wish to apply without engaging a solicitor from end-to-end, the dedicated EPA helpdesk established by the DSS in 2024 serves to ensure that individuals who require additional assistance in completing an online EPA application are supported in doing so.

I look forward to continued engagement with all stakeholders to ensure that those who face diminished decision-making capacity are enabled to retain as much autonomy over their lives as possible, and have their wishes documented and respected.