Arrangements for more than 1,400 vulnerable adults yet to be switched over despite law change and approaching deadline
High Court President Justice Barniville expresses concern over forcing the transfer of court wards to the new Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act system by the April 2025 deadline, citing low voluntary application rates and reluctance from wards' committees due to satisfaction with the existing wardship system. He fears compelling transfers may damage the new system's goal of restoring autonomy. The new Act replaces the outdated Lunacy Regulation (Ireland) Act of 1871 and aims to provide tiered decision-making support for vulnerable adults.
