The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth has informed the Decision Support Service (DSS) that a ‘go-live’ date of 21 November 2022 has been selected for the full commencement of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 (the 2015 Act).

Amending legislation, in the form of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity)(Amendment) Bill 2022 (the Amendment Bill) is necessary for the full commencement of the 2015 Act, and this is currently before the Seanad. The Amendment Bill is required to streamline processes set out in the 2015 Act and to improve safeguards. Following the enactment of the Amendment Bill, the 2015 Act will be commenced, which will allow for the DSS to commence operations and deliver its full statutory functions.

“The DSS has been asked to be ready to open our doors on November 21st, and we will be ready,” said the Director of the DSS, Áine Flynn. “Many people are waiting to access the supports set out under this Act, and we are delighted to get this critical and long-awaited service up and running.”

We will provide further updates as we move towards commencement and in the meantime the DSS teams are available to answer any queries that anyone might have. The DSS can be contacted by telephone on 01 211 9750 or by email at queries@decisionsupportservice.ie.

In light of Covid-19 the Decision Support Service the team has been mobilised to work remotely and the Decision Support Service establishment project is continuing.
 
The Decision Support Service (DSS) are presently working on the detailed design of digital communication channels and business processes, scoping recruitment of the panel members and developing a communications plan, which will include a public consultation on draft codes of practice. 
 
The DSS is positively engaging with the Department of Justice and Equality. They look forward to agreeing a comprehensive time-bound costed plan for the commencement of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 with a go-live date to which all stakeholders can commit.
 
You can contact Dss@mhcirl.ie for essential queries related to the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 and the Decision Support Service.

Members of the Decision Support Service team on a visit to the Office of the Public Guardian in Scotland gaining insight into how their body was established and operates.

Áine Flynn, Director of the Decision Support Service speaking at our Town Hall Open Forum in Wexford in February 2020

Banking Payments Federation of Ireland (BPFI) welcomed Áine Flynn, Director of the Decision Support Service to their offices for a consultation meeting with their Assisted Decision Making Working Group on preparations for the new Assisted Decision Making (Capacity) Act 2015 to assist them in preparing and adapting their services.

Áine Flynn, Director of the Decision Support Service, speaking at the launch of the Irish Penal Reform Trust's report 'Making Rights Real for People with Disabilities in Prison'. on the need for full implementation of the 2015 Assisted Decision Making (Capacity) Act.

John Farrelly, Chief Executive of the Mental Health Commission and Áine Flynn, Director of the Decision Support Service briefed members of the Oireachtas in Leinster House 

They presented on the regulatory work of the commission and the importance of establishing the Decision Support Service.

The Mental Health Commission and the Health Information and Quality Authority have written National Standards for Adult Safeguarding.

These standards show staff who provide care and support how they can work in a way that reduces the risk of harm to you and other people using the service.

The standards also tell staff how they can prevent harm from happening in the first place, how to identify if harm is happening, and when you might need extra support.

Click on the link to access the National Standards for Adult Safeguarding 

Interesting speakers and challenging discussions at the 'Drilling Deep into the Assisted Decision Making (Capacity) Act' conference in University College Cork.

The event was jointly hosted by the Decision Support Service, Health Service Executive and UCC School of Law. 
 

The Decision Support Service jointly hosted a conference with Health Service Executive and University College Cork on mental health services and the Assisted Decision Making (Capacity) Act 2015.