Decision Support Service website one of many steps toward fulfilling UNCRPD obligations

Labour Senator and spokesperson on Children, Disability Equality & Integration has welcomed the launch of the new Decision Support Service website and has called on the Government to expedite the full implementation of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015.

Senator Bacik said:

“I am very pleased to see the launch of the new Decision Support Services website this week, which will provide accessible information on the decision support service being developed to promote the rights of people who may need support with decision-making.

“Accessibility is key so it is very positive to see that the website invites feedback so that users may highlight areas for improvement by email, or by using a feedback form available on the website.

“The launch of the Decision Support Services website this week is one of many steps towards implementing the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015. While she was Minister of State for Primary Care, Mental Health & Disability, former Labour TD Kathleen Lynch spearheaded this important legislation.

“Nearly five years have passed since the act was signed into law. This legislation will move Ireland significantly closer to fulfilling its obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, but it must be fully implemented. More than 1,250 people have been made wards of court despite the new legislation and we are still awaiting a timeline for implementation from the Government.

“I welcome the launch of the new Decision Support Services website but I call urgently for the Government, and Ministers Donnelly, McEntee and O’Gorman in particular, to expedite the full implementation of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 and to give clarity as to its plans to do so.