Decision Support Service

We are currently establishing the Decision Support Service (DSS), which, when fully operational, will promote the rights and interests of people who may need support with decision-making.

The DSS is a new service that was established under the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015. Although it is part of the Mental Health Commission, it will have a new and separate role.

The 2015 Act has not fully come in to effect yet and the DSS team is currently working to set up the new service.

When the DSS is up and running, it will provide an essential service for people who face difficulties exercising their decision-making capacity. This may include people with an intellectual disability, acquired brain injury, mental health difficulty or dementia. This also includes all people who want to plan ahead for a time when they might lose their capacity.

The DSS will help to protect and uphold people’s rights to make their own decisions about their personal welfare, property and affairs.

The DSS will:

regulate and register decision support arrangements
supervise the actions of decision supporters
maintain a panel of experts who will act as decision-making representatives, special and general visitors, and court friends
investigate complaints made under the 2015 Act
promote awareness and provide information about the 2015 Act

The service will also act as the central authority for matters relating to the Hague Convention on the International Protection of Adults.

When the DSS is operational, it will help to ensure that Ireland is compliant with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).

Assisted Decision Making (Capacity) Act, 2015

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