Families and the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act

In a short video message for families and their loved ones, the Director of the Decision Support Service (DSS) has outlined what the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act, 2015 might mean for them.

“Family carers and the people that they care for should be reassured that the framework of supports available under the Act is not imposed on anyone,” says Áine Flynn, adding that “the DSS will be involved with individual families only in relation to formal arrangements that are made under the Act.

“The level of formal support that is appropriate, if any, depends on a person’s circumstances and the decisions that they need to make. There is no obligation on a person to appoint a decision-making assistant, or co-decision-maker. It is not expected that families will have to apply to court to become decision-making representatives to manage the practicalities of everyday decision-making.”

Ms. Flynn continues: “However, there may come a time when a particular decision may need to be made that requires a level of formal support that can be provided under the Act. Such decisions could relate to a person’s money, their property, or their personal welfare”.

You can watch the video message in full here.