16Functions of the Disability Services Commissioner

16 Functions of the Disability Services Commissioner (1) The functions of the Disability Services Commissioner are to— S. 16(1)(a) substituted by No. 33/2017 s. 6(a). (a) to investigate complaints relating to disability services and regulated disability services; (b) review and identify the causes of complaints and to suggest ways of removing and minimising those causes; S. 16(1)(ba) inserted by No. 33/2017 s. 6(b). (ba) review and identify the causes of abuse and neglect in the provision of disability services and regulated disability services to persons with a disability and suggest ways of removing and minimising those causes; S. 16(1)(c) amended by No. 33/2017 s. 6(c). (c) provide advice, inquire into or investigate matters referred by the Minister or the Secretary; S. 16(1)(ca) inserted by No. 33/2017 s. 6(d). (ca) to conduct investigations into the provision of services to persons with a disability as specified in this Act; S. 16(1)(d) amended by No. 33/2017 s. 6(e). (d) conciliate where a complaint has been made in relation to a disability service provider or a regulated service provider; S. 16(1)(e) amended by No. 33/2017 s. 6(f). (e) take steps to publish and make available in an accessible manner details of complaints procedures and procedures for accountability investigations; S. 16(1)(f) amended by No. 33/2017 s. 6(g). (f) maintain a record of all complaints received and investigations conducted by the Disability Services Commissioner; S. 16(1)(g) repealed by No. 33/2017 s. 6(h). S. 16(1)(h) amended by No. 33/2017 s. 6(i). (h) consider ways of improving disability services complaints systems or complaints systems of regulated service providers; S. 16(1)(i)(j) repealed by No. 9/2023 s. 17. (k) develop programs for persons in the handling of complaints; S. 16(1)(l) repealed by No. 33/2017 s. 6(j). (m) subject to the approval of the Minister, to initiate inquiries into— S. 16(1)(m)(i) repealed by No. 9/2023 s. 17. (ii) broader issues concerning services for persons with a disability arising out of complaints received; S. 16(1)(n) substituted by No. 33/2017 s. 6(k). (n) provide education and information about the prevention of conduct that leads to complaints and about the resolution of complaints relating to the provision of disability services and regulated disability services; S. 16(1)(o) substituted by No. 33/2017 s. 6(k). (o) provide education and information about responding to allegations of abuse and neglect in the provision of disability services and regulated disability services; S. 16(1)(oa) inserted by No. 33/2017 s. 6(k). (oa) provide education and information about the prevention of abuse and neglect in the provision of disability services and regulated disability services; S. 16(1)(p) substituted by No. 33/2017 s. 6(l). (p) conduct research into— (i) complaints relating to the provision of disability services and regulated disability services; and (ii) mechanisms for resolving complaints relating to the provision of disability services and regulated disability services; S. 16(1)(pa) inserted by No. 33/2017 s. 6(l). (pa) conduct research into— (i) abuse and neglect in the provision of disability services and regulated disability services; and (ii) mechanisms for preventing abuse and neglect in the provision of disability services and regulated disability services; (q) perform any other functions specified in this Act. S. 16(2) inserted by No. 19/2019 s. 24. (2) The functions of the Disability Services Commissioner referred to in subsection (1)(a) to (f) continue to apply in relation to a former disability service provider or former regulated service provider to the extent that Divisions 6, 6A, 6B, 6C, 8 and 9 of Part 6 apply to the former disability service provider or former regulated service provider, as the case requires.