Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 11:

In page 11, line 2, to delete “Public Guardian” and substitute “Director”.

These amendments propose to replace all references to public guardian with that of director. It is proposed that the person appointed will be titled the director of the decision support service. The change of name is to communicate the message that a service is being established within the Courts Service to give information, advice and support to people with capacity difficulties, or to families, friends and organisations, on decision-making involving persons with capacity difficulties. The previous title was criticised as paternalistic and as being at odds with the purpose of the Bill which is to enable persons with capacity difficulties to make decisions, where possible.

Amendment No. 265 specifies that the Courts Service shall appoint a person to be known as the director of the decision support service to head the service which will carry out the functions assigned to it under this Act.