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Joint Committee on Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth seeks submissions on the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Bill 2021

20 Noll 2021, 12:38

The Joint Committee on Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth has today, Monday December 20th, announced an open call seeking submissions on the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Bill 2021. 

The Act is a piece of legislation that seeks to change the existing law on capacity from the status approach of the wardship system to a flexible functional approach, whereby capacity is assessed on an issue and time specific basis. 

 

It will abolish the wards of court system for adults by repealing the Lunacy Regulation (Ireland) Act 1871. 

 

Adults currently in wardship will transition to the new decision-making support arrangements on a phased basis over three years from the date of commencement of the Act. 

 

The Act is chiefly the responsibility of the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, following the transfer of Equality functions from the Department of Justice in 2020. 

 

The General Scheme of the Bill was referred to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children, Disability, Equality and Integration for pre-legislative scrutiny in November 2021. 

 

The Committee has been asked to give the proposed Bill priority consideration so that the 2015 Act can be amended and commenced by the June 2022 deadline. 

 

The proposed legislation will amend the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015, improving processes and safeguards for those who will make use of the new decision-making supports.

 

The Committee is inviting written submissions from members of the public, stakeholders and interested parties.

 

The closing date for receipt of submissions is 1pm on Monday January 17th 2022. 

 

For more information about the submission process and the work of the Joint Committee on Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth see the Committee webpage. 

 

Submissions can be made here. 

Fiosrúcháin ó na meáin

Áine McMahon

Tithe an Oireachtais

Oifigeach Cumarsáide

Teach Laighean

Baile Átha Cliath 2

+353 1 618 4149

+353 85 8707436

aine.mcmahon@oireachtas.ie

pressoffice@oireachtas.ie

Twitter: @OireachtasNews

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