Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 October 2025
536. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 2408 of 29 July 2025, the position regarding the work ongoing with various groups (details supplied) to address their concerns regarding the decision support service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53647/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra537. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her attention has been drawn to the comments of the President of the High Court in relation to decision support service (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53648/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 536 and 537 together.
The Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 marked a milestone moment in Ireland, bringing about an end to wardship in the State for adults, by repealing the Lunacy Regulation (Ireland) Act 1871 and replacing the wards of court system with the new process for appointing tiered decision support arrangements that is now in place.
The abolition of wardship and the move towards a rights-based model of tiered supports is a landmark legal reform in how Ireland approaches persons with capacity difficulties, however, it has also necessitated change and reform on a significant scale and I recognise that this transition has caused a degree of concern amongst some wards, committees of wards and other stakeholders. My officials have met with stakeholders and will continue to engage to understand and address those concerns.
As outlined in my response to Parliamentary Question No. 2408 of the 29th of July, the Office of the Wards of Court has responsibility for managing the discharge from wardship process. The Decision Support Service has collaborated with colleagues in the Office of Wards of Court and the Office of the General Solicitor to provide information and assistance for the benefit of wards, their families and committees and for professionals. This includes information about post-wardship supports and potential future engagement with the Decision Support Service following discharge from wardship.
As part of its statutory functions to promote awareness and understanding about the 2015 Act generally, the Decision Support Service has published information on its website at: decisionsupportservice.ie/resources/wards-court, with links to other useful resources
The Courts Service website also contains useful information on the discharge process.
My Department will continue to work to address the concerns of wards, their committees and wider stakeholders as wards move to the more progressive, rights-based system of supported decision-making.
