November 29, 2019:
Safeguarding Ireland has told a two-day seminar on the Assisted Decision Making Act in Cork that full commencement of the Act is urgent, to help better protect the rights of vulnerable adult.
Speaking from the seminar in Cork, Safeguarding Ireland Chairperson Patricia Rickard-Clarke said stronger Adult Safeguarding legislation is urgently needed to ensure that people’s rights are respected and adhered to.
The Assisted Decision-Making Act was enacted in 2015 and its implementation has been in development since then. It is scheduled to commence next year and includes an overhaul of the wardship system and strengthens supports for decision-making for vulnerable people.
“Safeguarding Ireland calls for the Assisted Decision Making Act to be implemented – in full – in 2020. Key elements which should be fast-tracked for commencement include: Arrangements for the making of Enduring Powers of Attorney; a legal framework for Advance Healthcare Directives; and Definitions of deprivation of liberty,” Ms Rickard-Clarke said.
The seminar titled Bringing human rights into 21st Century Irish Law and public service practice- Reflections on the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 and considerations for health and social care practice took place at University College Cork.
The seminar considered why commencement of this Act is critical to realising the human rights of citizens of the state and why full commencement of the Act must remain a priority for Government.
The event was addressed by Minister for Equality, Immigration and Integration David Stanton; Director of the Decision Support Service, Áine Flynn; Chair of the HSE ADM Steering Group, Professor Mary Donnelly – and many other experts with legal, clinical, ethical, policy and service user expertise.
More information at www.safeguardingireland.org
Further Information
Ronan Cavanagh, Cavanagh Communications: (086) 317 9731.
Safeguarding Ireland
Safeguarding Ireland promotes safeguarding of vulnerable adults to protect them from all forms of abuse by persons, organisations and institutions and to develop a national plan for promoting their welfare.
