3023. Deputy Maeve O'Connell asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of applications to set up an enduring power of attorney that were projected to be made with the decision support service each year following the enacting of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015, the establishment of the decision support service and the actual numbers of enduring power of attorney that have been registered with the decision support service. [58394/26]

I thank the Deputy for their question regarding the Decision Support Service (DSS) and numbers of 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.

It is important to note that while the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act was enacted in 2015, the Act was not commenced until April 2023. Since commencement, ensuring that as many individuals as possible are engaged in advance planning has been an essential part of the services and objectives of the DSS. The DSS did not produce specific figures for the number of EPAs projected to be made since commencement of the Act. It should be noted that anyone in the population can make an application for an EPA as part of good forward planning.

Figures for the number of registered EPAs under the 2015 Act, provided below, indicate growing engagement with the new system.

These figures are published and updated monthly on the DSS website at www.decisionsupportservice.ie/decision-support-arrangement-statistic

The DSS remains committed to ensuring that as many adults as possible are engaged in advance planning. Just 8% of adults in Ireland have an EPA in place, which is less than comparative regimes in England and Wales where approximately 22% of adults have an EPA. As part of their ongoing Advance Planning Campaign for 2026, the DSS aims to encourage more adults of all ages to start their EPA journey.

The 2015 Act requires that a review of the operation and effectiveness of the Act must take place no later than five years after its commencement. That review will be extensive and will consider all aspects of the Act, including the process for EPA applications and registration. 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.