Marie Sherlock (Dublin Central, Labour)

GDPR has been the greatest thing for people trying to cover themselves over recent years. On the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015, Safeguarding Ireland has made the point that there is a deficit with regard to implementation. The Irish Association of Social Workers has called for a social care Act. Its representatives have made the powerful point that residents are too often seen as recipients of care rather than adults with rights. Of course, the intent behind the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act was to change that model and framework of care from one that is very paternalistic to one that sees residents as adults with rights. I have come across many issues with the implementation of the Act. Parents of adult children feel very frustrated that they are constrained as advocates but that is a conversation for another day. I would like to hear from both organisations as to the deficits with the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act and how we can better ensure the rights of adults, including their right to care, if that makes any sense.