Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 June 2025
360. Deputy Catherine Ardagh asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the actions taken by her or by the Decision Support Service to implement the commitment contained in the Programme for Government to create a solicitors’ portal to simplify enduring power of attorney applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33223/25]
View answerI thank the Deputy for their question regarding the Decision Support Service (DSS) and Enduring Powers of Attorney (EPAs).
Ensuring the EPA application process is as user-centric and accessible as possible is a priority for my Department and 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 Programme for Government commitment to a solicitor's portal is primarily to ensure the accessibility of the EPA system, and my Department is currently considering the operational period of the DSS, and the uptake of the new system of supported decision-making in that regard, to assemble an evidence base for next steps.
For persons seeking to make EPAs now, there is currently no obstacle to solicitors accessing the online portal on behalf of their client, should they be engaged to complete the EPA process from end-to-end, although this is not a requirement of the 2015 Act. A solicitor can create an account for their client through a manual Identity Verification Application Form (IDVF) process and logging in on behalf of their client.
It is the prerogative of any donor to instruct a solicitor in the making of their EPA. 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. When a solicitor is on record, the DSS corresponds with the solicitor in relation to their client’s application.
For those who wish to apply without engaging a solicitor from end-to-end, the accessibility policy and dedicated EPA helpdesk serve to ensure that individuals who require additional assistance in completing an online EPA application are supported in doing so. This together with helpful instructional videos and other guidance material provided on the DSS website, has seen the number of registered EPAs increase, and the timeframe for registration decrease.
The number of EPAs registered by the DSS has seen a noticeable increase in the past number of months, particularly in the first five months of 2025. Currently, over 2,700 EPAs have been registered by the DSS since commencement of their service in April 2023 to the end of May 2025, with a further 2,300 submitted for review and registration by the DSS. Encouragingly, of the 2,700 registered EPAs, almost half (1,253) have been completed in 2025, which shows an increased awareness and uptake by the public, and improved efficiency in the application process.
