Assisted Decision-Making (Amendments) 2026 Act

Our concerns about the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Amendment Bill raised in the Dáil

The Government is currently progressing the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Amendment Bill 2026, which proposes extending the deadline for ending the Ward of Court system after it became clear the original April 2026 deadline will not be met.

Earlier this week, Maurice Quinlivan TD, Chair of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Disability Matters, referred in the Dáil to concerns raised by Disabled Women Ireland about the proposed legislation.

In January, Disabled Women Ireland submitted a response on the draft heads of the Bill outlining several concerns about both the proposed amendments and the consultation process. Our submission highlighted that engagement with Disabled Persons’ Organisations was extremely limited and that accessible information on the proposed changes was not provided in advance of consultation.

We also raised concerns about the nature of the proposed extension, which would allow the courts to extend the discharge deadline on a case-by-case basis. This approach risks creating further delays in the discharge process and may not give wards sufficient time to explore appropriate supported decision-making options.

In addition, our submission emphasised the need for independent advocacy, accessible information, and training to ensure that people transitioning out of wardship can understand their rights and meaningfully engage with supported decision-making arrangements.

Disabled Women Ireland supports the timely discharge of all wards from the Ward of Court system. However, this process must be carried out in a way that respects individuals’ will and preferences and is fully aligned with the principles of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.