Decision Support Service

The Decision Support Service (DSS), promotes 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 has a new and separate role.

The DSS provides 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:

regulates and registers decision support arrangements
supervises the actions of decision supporters
maintains panels of people who will act as decision-making representatives, special and general visitors.
investigates complaints made under the 2015 Act
promotes awareness and provides 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.

The DSS helps to ensure that Ireland is compliant with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).