AQW 41622/11-15

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 02/02/2015
Answered On Date: 10/02/2015
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Justice when Lasting Power of Attorney will be introduced in Northern Ireland.

Answer:

My Department does not have substantive policy responsibility for Lasting Powers of Attorney.

However, I can confirm that the draft Mental Capacity Bill contains provisions to introduce Lasting Powers of Attorney in Northern Ireland. The Bill is being prepared jointly by my Department and the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety. It is currently intended to submit a Bill to the Executive for approval in March 2015, to enable introduction to and passage through the Assembly by March 2016.