The Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act (2015) (as amended) is about supporting decision-making and maximising a person’s capacity to make decisions. This Act applies to everyone and is relevant to all health and social care services.
This new Act assists in complying with human-rights obligations contained in the Constitution of Ireland, the European Convention on Human Rights, and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
We have a number of resources with more information about the Act:
A short explainer video on the Act (Youtube)
A full presentation on the Act (Youtube)
Frequently Asked Questions on the Act
Presentations, videos and e-learning programmes relating to ADM
Latest news and upcoming events
Poster
A poster for staff is now available in a high-resolution PDF print version on our resources page.
Assisted Decision-Making Mentorship Programme
We have launched an Assisted Decision-Making Mentorship Programme.
The aim of the new Assisted Decision-Making Mentorship Program is to build capacity of local front-line staff (mentees) that will be directly involved with people utilising the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 and provide these staff with hands-on support from mentors over a 12-month timeframe.
Video recording of resources
Elaine McCaughley, Senior Project Manager, from the HSE National Office for Human Rights and Equality Policy recorded the following video walking through the resources that are available to healthcare workers to understand the new responsibilities under the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 on our webpage.
Watch the video recording of resources (Youtube)
Links to resources (PDF)
E-learning programme
The Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015: Guidance for Healthcare Workers e-learning programme was launched on HSeLanD on 7th March 2023. This e-learning programme includes 3 modules:
- Module 1: Guiding Principles
- Module 2: Working with Decision Supporters appointed under the 2015 Act
- Module 3: Advance Healthcare Directives
Search "Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 – Guidance for Healthcare Workers" on HSeLand to enroll in the course
Webinars
We hosted a webinar titled: Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015: Six months since commencement on Wednesday 11th October at 2pm to 3.30pm.
This webinar focused on providing an update on what has happened in the six months since commencement and the changes that have occurred in practice. The webinar will focus on how and when to interact with the DSS, the Codes of Practice, the DSS Register, wardship transition, the Courts Service and the Nursing Home Support Scheme.
View the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015: Six months since commencement webinar
Update on Commencement of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015
Announcement of the abolition of wardship and the operationalisation of the Assisted Decision-Making Act and Decision Support Service
The Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O’Gorman, Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, Minister for Justice, Simon Harris, Minister of State for Disability, Anne Rabbitte, and Minister of State for Mental Health and Older People, Mary Butler, announced on Wednesday 26th April the commencement of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015, the operationalisation of the Decision Support Service, the introduction of a new system of decision-making supports, and the abolition of wardship.
Please see related press release
Update from the Decision Support Service
The Decision Support Service have published 13 codes of practice for decision supporters, interveners and relevant professionals, providing guidance for their functions and responsibilities under the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015.
Decision Support Service publishes codes of practice
The Decision Support Service have developed a short video for families explaining the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015
Update from the Court Service
Capacity Statement under Part 5 of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015
The Court Service have signed off on this document as a guide to the functional assessment of capacity required for a Capacity Application under Part 5 of the Assisted Decision Making (Capacity) Act 2015. To note this is not a legal document and has been developed for guidance purposes only.
In addition, the Court Service have created a flow-chart on how to make a capacity application.
Capacity Statement under Part 5 of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 (PDF)
The Courts Service have published an update on the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 and Care Representative Applications.
The 2015 Act commenced on the 26th April. The Wards of Court Office stopped accepting wardship applications on the 25th April 2023. From 26th April applications under Part 5 of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 as amended will be made to the Circuit Court. The Wards of Court Office will commence the three year statutory review and the discharge of all adult wards of court. A HSE guidance document was developed prior to commencement of the 2015 Act to provide a clear and consistent approach on the steps required before an application for wardship of an adult is considered by the HSE.
About this webpage
This webpage is from the HSE National Office for Human Rights and Equality Policy Team. It aims to present information and resources relevant to the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 to help healthcare workers implement the Act in their work.
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