Upcoming Advance Planning Roadshow Events

‘Putting You House in Order’ roadshow with the Irish Hospice Foundation, Age Friendly Ireland and Decision Support Service 

The Director of the Decision Support Service a new State service established last year to support adults who may require help, now or in the future, to exercise their right to make decisions about their personal welfare, property, or affairs. A new service in the Mental Health Commission established under the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 the DSS is now calling on people across Galway, Cork and Mayo to get in touch to find out more and commence their applications.

As part of a regional roadshow, organised by Age Friendly Ireland and the Irish Hospice Foundation, a team from the DSS will visit the locations in Kinsale in Cork, Galway City, Oughterard, and Ballinasloe, in Galway and Castlebar and Ballina in Mayo to introduce more people to the new service that is fast gathering popularity amongst adults young and old who are keen to ensure their will and preferences are protected now and into the future.

Putting your House in Order is a free event that aims to explain, in simple terms, enduring powers of attorney (EPAs), advance healthcare directives, and how to make a will.  In addition, at the event the Decision Support Service will demonstrate the practical steps in how to create an EPA.

Recent figures show that 761 of all EPAs have been registered across July, August and September 2024, demonstrating both an increasing interest in the level of advance planning by the public, and a further reduction in timelines from submission to registration of EPAs by the DSS, following adjustments to some internal processes, and the recent recruitment of additional staff.

“We are very encouraged to see the uptake in EPAs, which cost €30 to register with us,” said the Director of the Decision Support Service, Áine Flynn. “Apart from the 1,096 that are now registered on our system, there are a further 7,044 working their way through the submission and registration process, allowing for statutory notice periods and reviews by our teams of these important legal instruments.

“When you consider the heightened interest - and that under previous legislation somewhere between just 6-11% of Irish adults had made an EPA - applications will likely only increase. This is why we recently established an EPA ‘one-stop-shop’ helpdesk, where 10 members of staff deal exclusively with the public - and legal professionals if they are involved - in the making and registration of EPAs. Ultimately, we hope that this support will accelerate timelines from commencement of the application to registration.”

“At these events, we are effectively bringing the helpdesk on the road. We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with the Irish Hospice Foundation and Age Friendly Ireland and the Decision Support Service will be participating in more regional events like this.”

“I am very happy to note that almost 18,000 adults from all parts of the country have opened an online account with us and have either fully registered an arrangement, or are in the process of doing so,” said Ms Flynn.

“However, we know that there are thousands of other people out there that currently have capacity-related difficulties and may benefit from the new decision support framework, and many more whose capacity is not and may never be an issue but who could be planning ahead as part of good life management. We are making a special call to all those people to book a space at this event, or, if they can’t make it, to telephone us, visit our website, and learn how they can start their own application.”

Cork

Thursday 14 November, at 10.30am - 1:00pm in Kinsale Library, Co Cork, P17 XK74 

To book, email: agefriendly@corkcoco.ie

Mayo

Monday, 18 November, 2:00-4:30pm in Castlebar Library, John Moore Rd, F23 H330. Castlebar, Co Mayo

Tuesday, 19 November, 10:30am - 1:00pm in Ballina: Ballina Library, Pearse St, Ballina, Co Mayo

To book email: agefriendlymayo@mayococo.ie or call: 094 90 64 735

Galway

Tuesday 12 November Advance planning with the Decision Support Service – Start your Enduring Power of Attorney Journey” 6-7pm in the Galmont Hotel, Lough Atalia Road, Galway, H91 CYN3. To book ring (01) 211 9750 or email siobhan.bigley@mhcirl.ie

Wednesday 13 November One-to-one EPA Helpdesk, 3pm - 6pm in the Galmont Hotel & Spa, Lough Atalia Road, Galway, H91 CYN3. The DSS offer one-to-one to support to set up a DSS account and to start an individual enduring power of attorney application. Booking is essential and places are limited: One to One Helpdesk Desk appointment form 

Wednesday, 27 November, 10:30 - 2:30 pm. Galway City: Westside Library, Seamus Quirke Rd, Galway. 

Thursday, 28 November, 2:00 - 4:30, Church Gallery, Ballinasloe Library, H53 T320. 

Friday, 29 November, 10:30-1:00 pm, Oughterard, 2 Main St, H91 W6R9. 

To book, email: agefriendly@galwaycoco.ie or call: (091) 505 591