Health
Bills affecting the health service, hospitals, medicines, mental health and patient rights.
154 bills tracked under this topic.
Animal Health and Welfare (Ban on Hare Coursing) Bill 2020
9 Jul 2026 First Stage Defeated Paul Murphy
- Bans hare coursing events (competitions where dogs hunt live hares) with immediate effect upon commencement; offenders face fines up to €5,000.
- Removes hare coursing exemptions from Wildlife Act 1976 and Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 by amending those Acts.
- Allows Irish Coursing Club to optionally shift focus to lure coursing (artificial lures, not live animals) for greyhounds and sighthounds.
Public Health (Single-Use Vapes) Bill 2025
8 Jul 2026 Fifth Stage Current
- Prohibits sale of single-use vapes (with or without nicotine) in Ireland from commencement, with 6-month transition period allowing existing stock sales.
- Appoints authorised officers with enforcement powers to inspect, investigate, and issue prohibition notices for contraventions of the sales ban.
- Creates criminal offences for selling single-use vapes and providing false information, with penalties for first and repeat breaches; excludes medical devices and medicinal products.
Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) (Amendment) Bill 2026
30 Jun 2026 Second Stage Current
- Requires nicotine inhaling products be kept in closed containers at retail, restricts their advertising in shops and online, and allows Minister to regulate permitted flavour names.
- Bans sale of nicotine consumption products to children and restricts their display and advertising in retail premises and online.
- Expands enforcement powers: authorised officers can investigate supply chains, take samples, issue prohibition notices, and seize non-compliant or seriously harmful products.
Health (Amendment) (Home Support Providers) Bill 2025
25 Jun 2026 Fifth Stage Current
- Creates mandatory registration scheme for home support providers. Providers must register with HIQA's Chief Inspector or face offence; registration can be refused, cancelled, or conditioned based on fit-and-proper-person test and compliance with ministerial regulations.
- Gives Chief Inspector power to inspect premises, collect data from providers, and enforce standards. Non-compliance can result in registration cancellation, with District Court appeal rights available and interim emergency orders possible within 28 days.
- Existing providers have 3-month notification window, then 2 years to apply for registration. During transition, existing providers must comply with data collection and information requirements as if already registered.
Public Health (Alcohol) (Amendment) Bill 2025
11 Jun 2026 First Stage Defeated Pádraig Rice
- Amends Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018 to restrict advertising of alcohol-free and low-alcohol products that use branding, logos, or trademarks of regular-strength alcohol products.
- Prevents alcohol-free/low-alcohol products from displaying core branding features of regular alcohol brands to stop indirect promotion of alcoholic drinks.
- Updates definition of 'advertising' in principal Act and introduces new definition for 'alcohol-free or low-alcohol product'.
Mental Health Bill 2024
13 May 2026 Enacted
- Replaces Mental Health Acts 2001–2022 with new framework establishing human rights-based guiding principles for admission, treatment, and discharge of adults and children in acute mental health centres.
- Creates Mental Health Review Boards to review involuntary admissions; requires informed consent for treatment except limited circumstances; regulates restrictive practices (seclusion, restraint) under strict conditions.
- For children: allows voluntary admission under 16 with parental consent; requires District Court orders for involuntary admission; prohibits electro-convulsive therapy on children; establishes Mental Health Commission oversight.
Health Information Bill 2024
24 Feb 2026 Report Stage Current
- Health providers must share patients' health data with other providers for care and treatment in standardized digital format within timeframes set by HSE guidelines.
- HSE creates and operates electronic health records for all patients containing summaries, prescriptions, test results, and discharge reports; patients can restrict access or add personal information.
- HSE can request health information from providers for public health, patient safety, service planning, and statistics; non-compliance subject to Circuit Court enforcement.
Education (Medical Emergencies in Schools) Bill 2026
12 Feb 2026 Second Stage Current Eoghan Kenny
- Amends Education Act 1998 to allow Minister make regulations requiring greater school staff participation in approved first aid training for medical emergencies.
- Enables regulations to increase number of schools authorised to administer prescription-only medicines (like adrenaline auto-injectors) without prescription during life-threatening medical emergencies.
- Addresses 2024 report finding most primary school staff lack training in life-saving equipment; creates framework for improved emergency response and medicine access in schools.
Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) (Amendment) Bill 2026
30 Jan 2026 Second Stage Current Paul Murphy
- Removes the 3-day waiting period requirement that currently applies before a person can access abortion on request under the 2018 Act.
- Amends the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 by deleting the mandatory delay between request and provision of the procedure.
- Allows abortion on request to proceed immediately upon request, without the existing 3-day interval for consideration.
Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2025
20 Jan 2026 Enacted
- Updates Risk Equalisation Fund credits paid to insurers from 1 April 2026, with revised amounts for age-related, hospital utilisation, and high-cost claims credits based on insured population data.
- Adjusts stamp duty levies on health insurance contracts to fund the revised credits, with transitional rates applying 1 January–31 March 2026, then new rates from 1 April 2026.
- Changes Health Insurance Authority Chair appointment term to align with state body governance code; updates high-cost claims percentage threshold.
Sale of Nitrous Oxide and Related Products Bill 2025
19 Jan 2026 Second Stage Current Mark Ward
- Restricts nitrous oxide sales to licensed wholesalers and registered retailers only; unlicensed sales are offences.
- Bans selling nitrous oxide to under-18s for intoxication purposes; gardaí can seize containers from minors in public places.
- Allows gardaí to seize nitrous oxide in public when reasonably believed to be misused for intoxication, without criminalising possession.
Equal Status (Access to Toilet Facilities) Bill 2026
16 Jan 2026 Second Stage Current Mark Wall
- Requires retail shops without public toilets to allow customers with certain medical conditions (Crohn's, colitis, IBS, ostomy device users) to use staff facilities if at least three staff are present and no public toilets are nearby.
- Customers must present approved medical proof (physical card or mobile app form) issued by an approved body to request access during business hours.
- Breach by a retailer counts as disability discrimination under the Equal Status Act 2000, allowing customers to seek redress through existing complaint procedures.
Health (Amendment) Bill 2025
1 Oct 2025 Committee Stage Current
- Replaces annual Service Plan with Performance Delivery Plan; extends submission deadline from 21 to 28 days after budget allocation is determined.
- Requires HSE Board and CEO to maintain systems ensuring highest standards of budgetary management; CEO must report budget overruns to Board and Ministers with corrective action proposals for approval.
- Ministers for Health and Children, Disability, Equality issue separate strategic direction statements and annual priority statements to guide HSE Corporate and Performance Delivery Plans; both Ministers must approve plans jointly.
Health (Availability of General Practitioner Services) Bill 2025
4 Jul 2025 Second Stage Current Marie Sherlock
- Creates statutory duty for HSE to ensure GP services accessible fairly across State based on local health needs assessment, considering population distribution and social determinants.
- Requires HSE to report progress toward this objective in corporate plans and propose strategies to achieve it, using available resources without automatic budget increase.
- Addresses current gap where HSE funds but cannot direct GP placement, establishing direct link between needs assessment and service provision decisions.
Organisation of Working Time (Leave for Health Screening Purposes) Bill 2025
4 Jul 2025 Second Stage Current Duncan Smith
- Creates statutory right to paid leave for employees to attend HSE cervical, breast, colon cancer screening, or other screening recommended by their doctor.
- Excludes health screening leave from weekly working hours cap calculations and nightly hours reference periods under Organisation of Working Time Act 1997.
- Dismissal for taking health screening leave is presumed unfair; protects continuity of service for redundancy; disputes handled by Workplace Relations Commission.
Health (Scoliosis Treatment Services) Bill 2024
3 Jul 2025 Second Stage Current Gerard P. Craughwell
- HSE must establish specialized scoliosis treatment service for inpatient and outpatient care of children and adults in Ireland.
- Minister for Health given powers and duties to oversee the service establishment and related matters.
- Bill is at Second Stage; specific service details, funding, and timeline not yet evident from long title.
Animal Health and Welfare (Welfare of Pigs) Bill 2025
2 Jul 2025 Second Stage Current Paul Murphy
- Bans teeth-clipping, tail-docking, and castration of pigs except for therapeutic or diagnostic purposes.
- Restricts tusk reduction in boars to last-resort situations where necessary to prevent injury or safety risks.
- Prohibits sow stalls and farrowing crates smaller than 5 square metres that prevent sows turning around.
Healthcare (Transparent Payments) Bill 2022
20 Jun 2025 Second Stage Current Darren O'Rourke
- Pharmaceutical companies and medical equipment suppliers must annually report all payments, gifts, donations, and value transfers to healthcare professionals or organizations to the Health Products Regulatory Authority.
- The Health Products Regulatory Authority must establish and maintain a publicly accessible, searchable register of these payments and has power to audit compliance.
- Failure to declare payments constitutes an offence with fines up to €100,000 upon conviction.
Animal Health and Welfare (Ban on Fox Hunting) Bill 2025
29 May 2025 Second Stage Current Ruth Coppinger
- Amends Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 to ban fox hunting, including using dogs to chase, flush, dig out, trap, or snare foxes.
- Prohibits trail hunting (following fox scent), closing a loophole identified in British experience where it leads to actual fox killing.
- Comes into force 6 months after passing, or earlier at Minister for Agriculture's discretion.
Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) (Amendment) Bill 2021
28 May 2025 Committee Stage Current Pádraig O'Sullivan
- Excludes fixed cost-effectiveness thresholds (ICER) from assessment of orphan drugs seeking HSE reimbursement listing, preventing standard financial value metrics from disadvantaging rare-disease treatments.
- Adds new orphan drug assessment criteria to Schedule 3 requiring HSE to consider qualitative patient/clinician data, unmet medical need, and EU availability alongside quantitative evidence.
- Defines 'orphan medicinal product' under EU Regulation 141/2000 and requires HSE to apply differentiated reimbursement decision-making process specific to orphan drugs.
Sale of Nitrous Oxide and Related Products Bill 2024
13 May 2025 First Stage Withdrawn Mark Ward
- Restricts nitrous oxide sales to licensed wholesalers and registered retailers serving only commercial and medical users; unauthorised sales are offences.
- Prohibits selling nitrous oxide products to anyone under 18; allows gardaí to seize containers from minors in public places without criminalising possession.
- Allows gardaí to seize nitrous oxide in public places when reasonably believed misused for intoxication; establishes ministerial registers of licensed wholesalers and retailers.
Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2023
13 May 2025 First Stage Withdrawn Seán Crowe
- Makes it illegal to sell nitrous oxide in any container (including online) to anyone under 18, if intended for causing intoxication.
- Gives gardaí power to seize nitrous oxide containers from children in public places reasonably believed to be misusing them for intoxication.
- Creates criminal offence punishable by class C fine or up to 12 months imprisonment under amended Child Care Act 1991.
Public Health (Restriction on Sale of Stimulant Drinks to Children) Bill 2025
9 May 2025 Second Stage Current Sharon Keogan
- Prohibits sale of stimulant drinks to under-18s; sellers can defend themselves by showing they took reasonable steps to verify age.
- Requires health warnings on product packaging and shelf labels; bans advertising targeting children and near schools/youth venues.
- Bans self-service and vending machine sales of stimulant drinks; gives HSE powers to enforce via inspections, test purchases, and fixed penalties.
Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill 2024
2 May 2025 Second Stage Current Gino Kenny
- Creates legal framework allowing registered medical practitioners to assist qualifying persons with terminal illness to end their lives, subject to strict conditions and safeguards.
- Requires two independent medical assessments, psychological evaluation, written declaration with witnesses, and mental capacity verification before assistance can be provided.
- Establishes Review Committee for oversight, mandates healthcare professional training and certification, permits conscientious objection by medical staff, and requires five-yearly legislative review.
Health (Waiting Lists) Bill 2024
2 May 2025 Second Stage Current David Cullinane
- Minister for Health must set specific performance targets for maximum waiting times across health and social care services, creating a legal basis for wait-time policies.
- National Treatment Purchase Fund Board expands from publishing hospital waiting lists only to collecting and publishing all health and social care waiting list data.
- Chief Executive of National Treatment Purchase Fund Board becomes accountable to the Minister for Health and to Oireachtas committees for managing the organisation.
Health (Amendment) (Professional Home Care) Bill 2020
2 May 2025 Committee Stage Current Colm Burke
- Amends Health Act 2007 to establish regulatory framework for professional home care providers serving adults aged 18+, including standards on training, contracts, complaints and abuse prevention.
- Extends HIQA's functions to set national standards for professional home care based on HSE 2008 guidelines, covering safety, medication handling, money management and care planning.
- Requires Social Services Inspectorate to establish registry of professional home carers and gives Minister power to make regulations applying to professional home care undertakings.
Organisation of Working Time (Reproductive Health Related Leave) Bill 2021
2 May 2025 Committee Stage Current Ivana Bacik
- Employees get paid leave following miscarriage or to access reproductive healthcare services.
- Amends 1997 Working Time Act; adds unfair dismissal protection for taking this leave.
- Prevents employers firing or penalizing staff for miscarriage-related absence or medical appointments.
Animal Sentience Bill 2024
2 May 2025 Second Stage Current Paul Murphy
- Amends Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 to create Animal Sentience Committee of expert advisors to assess how government policies affect animal welfare.
- Committee must report whether policies harm sentient animals (vertebrates, cephalopods, decapod crustaceans) and recommend steps to address impacts.
- Minister must respond in writing to Committee reports and table responses in Dáil Éireann within three months of publication.
Autism Bill 2022
2 May 2025 Committee Stage Current Aodhán Ó Ríordáin
- Requires government to develop and publish a cross-departmental autism strategy addressing education, employment, public services, and social inclusion for autistic persons and their families.
- Amends Employment Equality Act 1998 and Equal Status Act 2000 to include autism in disability protections; establishes Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth as lead coordinator.
- Mandates public bodies collect autism data, establish diagnosis pathways, run awareness campaigns, provide staff training, and publish three-yearly progress reports on strategy implementation.
Animal Health and Welfare (Prohibition of Animal Testing for Botox) (Amendment) Bill 2024
2 May 2025 Second Stage Current Paul Murphy
- Amends Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 to ban animal testing specifically for botox safety determination.
- Modifies section 16 of the 2013 Act to introduce the prohibition on botox-related animal testing.
- Applies commencement upon enactment; no transitional provisions or exemptions detailed in the memorandum.
Mental Health (Amendment) Bill 2023
2 May 2025 Committee Stage Current Mark Ward
- Grants Mental Health Commission statutory power to regulate Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services and enforce governance and clinical reform recommendations.
- Enables Mental Health Commission to monitor implementation of recommendations and publish annual progress reports on service improvements.
- Amends Mental Health Act 2001 to give Commission enforceable authority over HSE and State implementation of recommended reforms.
Litter Pollution (Amendment) Bill 2022
2 May 2025 Second Stage Current Patrick Costello
- Increases fines under the Litter Pollution Act 1997 to provide stronger deterrent against dog fouling.
- Addresses public health hazard by making penalties for litter offences more substantial.
- Makes transitional provisions to manage implementation of the amended fine structure.
Protection of the Native Irish Honey Bee Bill 2021
2 May 2025 Second Stage Current Vincent P. Martin
- Bans importing non-native honey bees to protect Ireland's native bee species from cross-breeding and genetic dilution.
- Makes forging animal health certificates a criminal offence; appoints authorised officers to enforce the import ban.
- Aims to preserve native Irish honey bee biodiversity and prevent ecosystem damage from non-native bee species.
Protection of Children’s Health (Idling of Mechanically Propelled Vehicles in Vicinity of Schools) Bill 2021
2 May 2025 Second Stage Current Jennifer Whitmore
- Creates new offence: leaving vehicle engine running stationary within 100 metres of school premises without reasonable excuse. Enforced by Gardaí and local authorities.
- Allows fixed penalty notices as alternative to prosecution for idling offence, with amounts set by regulation under Road Traffic Act 2010.
- Enables road traffic signs to alert drivers to idling restrictions near schools; Minister must issue guidance and conduct annual reviews.
Children’s Health (Ospidéal Náisiúnta Kathleen Lynn do Leanaí) (Amendment) Bill 2025
30 Apr 2025 Second Stage Current Aengus Ó Snodaigh
- Amends Children's Health Act 2018 to formally name the new National Children's Hospital 'Ospidéal Náisiúnta Kathleen Lynn do Leanaí' in Irish language only.
- Transfers naming decision from unelected Children's Health Ireland board to elected representatives, as taxpayers funded the €2.2 billion+ hospital.
- Honours Dr. Kathleen Lynn, 1916 Rising commandant and founder of Ireland's first infant hospital, aligning with Official Languages Act 2021 requirements.
Criminal Law (Prohibition of the Disclosure of Counselling Records) Bill 2025
30 Apr 2025 Second Stage Current Ruth Coppinger
- Deletes section 19A of Criminal Evidence Act 1992 and replaces it to prohibit disclosure of counselling records in criminal trials for sexual offences, coercive control and intimate partner violence.
- Prevents counsellors, accused, their counsel, prosecution and courts from requesting, disclosing or accessing counselling records or their contents in relevant criminal proceedings.
- Preserves reporting obligations under Part 3 of Children First Act 2015 while protecting victim privacy and healthcare rights in criminal justice system.
Health (Postponement of Certain Leave) Bill 2024
28 Mar 2025 Second Stage Current Mary Fitzpatrick
- Amends maternity and adoptive leave laws to allow postponement if person is diagnosed with or undergoing cancer treatment.
- Creates mechanism for eligible parents to defer their leave entitlements during medical treatment, then take it later.
- Applies to Maternity Protection Act 1994 and Adoptive Leave Act 1995; specific postponement conditions and duration not detailed in long title.
First Aid and Mental Health in Schools (Existing Teachers) Bill 2018
28 Mar 2025 Committee Stage Current Robbie Gallagher
- All existing school staff must complete occupational first aid and mental health first aid training within two years, with refresher training every five years thereafter.
- Schools must maintain training logs, retain completion certificates, develop annual first aid policies, and keep equipped first aid boxes on premises.
- Minister prescribes approved training courses and refresher courses; Boards of Management must facilitate staff attendance and ensure compliance with all requirements.
First Aid and Mental Health in Schools (Initial Teacher Training) Bill 2018
28 Mar 2025 Committee Stage Current Robbie Gallagher
- Requires initial teacher training courses to include occupational first aid and mental health first aid training at a level prescribed by the Minister for Education and Skills.
- Prohibits schools from hiring teachers unless they provide evidence of completing required first aid and mental health training or approved refresher courses.
- Makes school Boards of Management responsible for ensuring no employed staff lack evidence of successfully completing the required training.
Free Provision of Period Products Bill 2021
28 Mar 2025 Committee Stage Current Lorraine Clifford-Lee
- Requires Minister for Health to create a scheme enabling free access to period products for all who need them.
- Sets obligation for the scheme to regulate and control how free period products are distributed and accessed.
- Aims to eliminate cost barriers to period product access by mandating government provision at no charge.
Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Bill 2023
28 Mar 2025 Committee Stage Current Catherine Ardagh
- Creates an Advisory Committee to recommend who qualifies for government financial help with fertility treatments.
- Committee will advise on eligibility criteria for assisted human reproduction treatment funding assistance.
- Bill establishes governance structure for managing public funding decisions on fertility treatment access.
Animal Health and Welfare (Dogs) Bill 2022
21 Mar 2025 Committee Stage Current Paul Gavan
- Allows authorities to rehome seized dogs after detention, rather than housing them in kennels during court proceedings that can take months or years.
- Requires dog license holders to have microchipped dogs and provide quarterly reports to local authorities listing microchip identifiers of all dogs kept.
- Increases penalties for dog licensing offenses to fines up to €250,000 or up to 5 years imprisonment, and allows courts to order dog forfeiture.
Farm Safety Agency Bill 2018
5 Mar 2025 Committee Stage Current Paul Daly
- Creates Farm Safety Agency within Health and Safety Authority to oversee farm safety standards and regulations.
- Amends Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 to define Agency's functions and responsibilities.
- Bill is at Committee Stage; specific powers, funding, and enforcement mechanisms not detailed in title alone.
Adult Safeguarding Bill 2017
5 Mar 2025 Committee Stage Current Marie-Louise O'Donnell
- Creates National Adult Safeguarding Authority to oversee protection of vulnerable adults from abuse or harm.
- Requires certain professionals to report concerns about at-risk adults to the new Authority in specified circumstances.
- Establishes framework for care and protection of adults vulnerable to abuse; currently in parliamentary committee review.
Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) (Amendment) Bill 2023
20 Feb 2025 Second Stage Lapsed Bríd Smith
- Removes the foetal viability limit for abortion where there is risk to the pregnant woman's life or serious harm to her health.
- Allows abortion on request before foetal viability and abolishes the mandatory 3-day waiting period for abortion on request.
- Removes all criminal penalties for providing abortion and permits abortion where fatal foetal abnormality is likely to cause death before or within one year of birth.
Health (Amendment) (Dual Diagnosis: No Wrong Door) Bill 2021
20 Feb 2025 Second Stage Lapsed Mark Ward
- Requires HSE to include dual diagnosis services (substance misuse plus mental health disorders) in its annual service plan submitted to the Minister for approval.
- Establishes joint care planning between mental health and addiction services to ensure coordinated treatment access for people with dual diagnosis.
- Applies 'No Wrong Door' principle: people can access treatment through either mental health or addiction services without being turned away.
Autism Spectrum Disorder Bill 2017
20 Feb 2025 Second Stage Lapsed James Reilly
- Requires Minister for Health to develop and publish a cross-departmental Autism Spectrum Disorder Strategy within two years, addressing service gaps and inconsistencies across the State.
- Strategy must establish accountability systems, define care pathways, ensure consistent service availability nationwide, and require all relevant departments and HSE to implement their parts.
- Minister must publish progress reports every three years to Oireachtas, collect prevalence data from HSE, provide implementation guidance to agencies, and fund a public awareness campaign.
Public Health (Antacid Products) Bill 2024
30 Jan 2025 First Stage Lapsed Róisín Garvey
- Requires warning notices displayed where antacid products are sold to consumers, excluding wholesale-only outlets.
- Creates offence of failing to display required notices at antacid product retail points.
- Establishes authorised officers to enforce notice requirements and related compliance matters.
Autism Action and Oversight Bill 2024
30 Jan 2025 First Stage Lapsed Micheál Carrigy
- Creates a new body to monitor and advise on autism action plans and the Autism Innovation Strategy implementation.
- Bill lapsed at First Stage; not yet passed into law or implemented.
- Specific powers, funding, composition, and timeline for the oversight body are not detailed in the long title provided.
Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Formaldehyde) Bill 2024
30 Jan 2025 First Stage Lapsed Vincent P. Martin
- Amends 2005 Work Safety Act to require Health and Safety Authority publish guidance on safe formaldehyde use and disposal, focusing on embalming.
- Establishes formal code of practice for formaldehyde handling to protect workers from chemical exposure risks in embalming and related work.
- Bill lapsed at First Stage; did not progress to debate or enactment. No current legislative requirement for formaldehyde code exists.
Children’s Health (Kathleen Lynn National Children's Hospital) (Amendment) Bill 2024
30 Jan 2025 First Stage Lapsed Paul Gavan
- Amends the Children's Health Act 2018 to officially name the National Children's Hospital after Kathleen Lynn in Irish and English.
- Changes the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board order to reflect the new official hospital name across legal documents.
- Bill lapsed at First Stage; no further legislative progress occurred.
Civil Registration (Amendment) (Certificate of Life) Bill 2022
30 Jan 2025 Second Stage Lapsed Regina Doherty
- Amends Civil Registration Act 2004 to allow Minister for Health to create a non-statutory Certificate of Life register for babies not meeting stillbirth criteria.
- Certificate of Life available for unborn children below 500 grammes weight or less than 24 weeks gestation, with no gestational or weight restrictions.
- Provides families with official recognition of loss and potential traceability record for future generations outside statutory stillbirth registration.
Health Insurance (International Students) (Amendment) Bill 2021
30 Jan 2025 First Stage Lapsed Malcolm Byrne
- Amends Health Insurance Act 1994 to redefine health insurance contracts, excluding international students not ordinarily resident in Ireland.
- Changes who can be covered by health insurance by creating a new definition that leaves out non-resident international students.
- Bill did not progress beyond First Stage and is no longer active; specific implementation details are not available.
Student Nurses (Pay) Bill 2021
30 Jan 2025 Second Stage Lapsed Annie Hoey
- Deems student nurse work during training as 'working time' under the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997, entitling them to paid wages.
- Training providers must pay student nurses at least the rate paid to Health Service Executive health care assistants, unless more favourable terms apply.
- Applies to student nurses enrolled in first-time registration courses with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland working for HSE or approved providers.
National Screening Advisory Committee Bill 2020
30 Jan 2025 Second Stage Lapsed Gerard P. Craughwell
- Establishes National Screening Advisory Committee on statutory basis to advise Minister on all screening programmes, replacing previous non-statutory arrangement.
- Requires Committee to report within 6 months on expanding newborn bloodspot screening conditions tested, then annually thereafter with parliamentary disclosure.
- Mandates Minister to publicly explain reasons for rejecting Committee recommendations within one month, implementing Scally Report transparency requirements.
Prohibition of Conversion Therapies Bill 2018
30 Jan 2025 Second Stage Lapsed Rose Conway-Walsh
- Bans conversion therapy—practices claiming to change sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.
- Treats conversion therapy as deceptive and harmful; establishes legal prohibition on this practice.
- Bill lapsed in parliament; did not become law. Current legal status of conversion therapy in Ireland unclear from this bill alone.
Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2024
18 Nov 2024 Enacted
- Raises minimum age for buying tobacco products from 18 to 21 years; applies existing penalties and court powers to enforce the new age limit.
- Keeps nicotine inhaling products restricted to under-18s only; allows test purchases and compliance notices to check retailer compliance.
- Changes retail signage requirement to reference age 21 instead of 18; takes effect 1 February 2028 except signage rule.
Health Insurance (Amendment) and Health (Provision of Menopause Products) Bill 2024
18 Nov 2024 Enacted
- Updates risk equalisation credits paid from the Risk Equalisation Fund from 1 April 2025, with amounts varying by age, sex, and insurance cover type.
- Revises stamp duty rates on health insurance contracts effective 1 January 2025 and 1 April 2025 to fund the updated risk equalisation credits.
- Amends definition of 'high cost claim' to clarify which HSE-approved drugs qualify for high-cost claim credits under the risk equalisation scheme.
Commission of Investigation (Nursing Homes) Bill 2022
14 Nov 2024 First Stage Lapsed Catherine Connolly
- Requires Government to establish a Commission of Investigation within two months to conduct public inquiry into how nursing homes managed Covid-19 risks during specified period.
- Commission must investigate and report on management of Covid-19 risks in nursing homes, including staffing, infection control, testing, and factors listed in the Schedule.
- Terms of reference must be set within two months; Schedule lists non-exhaustive factors for investigation, allowing Commission to examine additional relevant matters.
Personal Protective Equipment (Covid-19) Bill 2022
14 Nov 2024 First Stage Lapsed Paul Murphy
- Amends Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 to require employers provide FFP2-grade masks or higher to employees where Covid-19 risks cannot be controlled by other means.
- Explicitly applies requirement to education, childcare, and healthcare workers in schools, colleges, hospitals, primary care centres, and nursing homes.
- Requires Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to review the provision within 3 months of the bill coming into force.
Education (Health, Relationships and Sex Education) Bill 2021
14 Nov 2024 Second Stage Lapsed Gary Gannon
- Makes evidence-informed health and relationships/sex education a mandatory function of state-funded schools.
- Requires schools to teach health education only per curriculum prescribed by the Minister.
- Expands school inspectors' role to evaluate teaching of health and relationships/sex education; curriculum reviewed every 5 years.
Health (Inspection of Emergency Homeless Accommodation and Asylum Seekers Accommodation) Bill 2021
14 Nov 2024 First Stage Lapsed Eoin Ó Broin
- Expands Health Information and Quality Authority's inspection powers to cover emergency homeless accommodation funded by local authorities and asylum seeker reception centres.
- Amends Health Act 2007 to add five new accommodation types as 'designated centres' subject to Authority oversight and quality standards.
- Requires Health Minister to obtain consent from Housing and Children Ministers before approving standards for these facilities.
Safe Access to Termination of Pregnancy Services Bill 2021
14 Nov 2024 Fifth Stage Lapsed Paul Gavan
- Creates legal protections for facilities providing lawful abortion services and those who work there or use them.
- Prohibits harassment, intimidation, or obstruction of people accessing or providing termination of pregnancy services.
- Addresses connected matters to protect free and unencumbered access to legal abortion facilities.
Organisation of Working Time (Workers' Rights and Bogus Self-Employment) (Amendment) Bill 2021
14 Nov 2024 First Stage Lapsed Louise O'Reilly
- Makes it an offence for employers to misclassify employees as self-employed when the actual working relationship is that of an employee.
- Extends Organisation of Working Time Act protections to Garda members, Defence Forces personnel, sea workers, and trainee doctors.
- Grants self-employed workers entitlements to daily rest, weekly rest, annual leave, public holiday pay, and limits on average weekly hours.
Maternity Care (Covid-19) Bill 2021
14 Nov 2024 First Stage Lapsed Peadar Tóibín
- Requires hospitals to permit one accompanying person to attend with mothers during labour, birth, and specified occasions before and after delivery.
- Allows accompanying person to visit baby in neonatal or special care units, with broad definition to cover fathers and others.
- Permits hospitals to refuse accompanying person only if Covid-19 positive test or symptoms present substantial transmission risk in circumstances.
Workplace Ventilation (Covid-19) Bill 2021
14 Nov 2024 Second Stage Lapsed Paul Murphy
- Amends Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 to require employers ensure sufficient fresh air in enclosed workplaces, defined by CO2 levels as emergency Covid-19 measure.
- Gives employees right to request HSA inspection of workplace ventilation; inspectors measure CO2 and issue improvement notices above 900 ppm or prohibition notices above 1,500 ppm.
- Requires Minister review Act within 3 months of coming into force.
Hospital Parking Bill 2021
14 Nov 2024 Second Stage Lapsed Peadar Tóibín
- Entitles anyone attending out-patient services at public hospitals to three hours free parking, whether as driver or passenger.
- Allows suspension of free parking entitlement at specific hospital car parks if excessive occupancy is determined to be occurring.
- Does not prevent hospitals from independently offering free parking beyond these minimum entitlements.
Health (Parliamentary Oversight of Certain Instruments Relating to Covid-19) Bill 2021
14 Nov 2024 First Stage Lapsed Pa Daly
- Amends Health Act 1947 to require both Houses of Oireachtas to pass resolutions confirming Covid-19 regulations and orders within 14 sitting days or 21 calendar days, or they are automatically annulled.
- Allows either House to annul Covid-19 regulations and orders by resolution before confirmation deadline expires, without affecting actions already taken under them.
- Excludes Covid-19 instruments from existing Health Act section 5 procedures, replacing them with new parliamentary oversight framework requiring affirmative confirmation instead of negative annulment.
Working from Home (Covid-19) Bill 2020
14 Nov 2024 Second Stage Lapsed Seán Sherlock
- Gives employees a legal right to disconnect: employers cannot require staff to access work emails/messages between finishing and starting times; time spent on such communications counts as working time.
- Relaxes health and safety rules for temporary home workers during Covid-19: employers meet duties by providing adequate workstations and paying tax-free allowance (amount set by Revenue), instead of ensuring home conditions meet detailed regulations.
- Requires employers to include in written employment terms their policy on out-of-hours work-related electronic communications, extending existing information disclosure obligations.
Mental Health Parity of Esteem Bill 2020
14 Nov 2024 Second Stage Lapsed Mark Ward
- Places duty on Health Minister to promote mental health parity of esteem with physical health across the health system.
- Requires all health organisations to meet parity obligations for mental health services and ensure efficient, timely access to treatment.
- Aims to address systemic neglect of mental health through policy, institutional and organisational changes at all governance levels.
Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Amendment) Bill 2020
14 Nov 2024 Second Stage Lapsed Louise O'Reilly
- Amends Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 to make Covid-19 cases in workplaces notifiable to the Health and Safety Authority.
- Enables proactive monitoring of Covid-19 outbreaks in workplaces to prevent cluster development and allow rapid investigation.
- Requires workplace notification of Covid-19 incidents to protect workers in high-risk settings like meat plants and health facilities.
Dying with Dignity Bill 2020
14 Nov 2024 Second Stage Lapsed Gino Kenny
- Permits medical practitioners to assist qualifying persons with terminal illnesses to end their lives, provided two doctors verify the illness is incurable, progressive, and irreversible.
- Amends Criminal Law (Suicide) Act 1993 to protect doctors and nurses from prosecution when providing assistance under this Act.
- Establishes oversight committee; allows doctors to refuse participation; requires assessment of person's decision-making capacity before assistance provided.
Health (Medical Entitlements in Nursing Homes) (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2019
14 Nov 2024 First Stage Lapsed Imelda Munster
- Amends Health (Nursing Homes) Act 1990 to require Minister introduce regulations ensuring private nursing home residents keep medical card entitlements.
- Makes nursing home contracts subject to Competition and Consumer Protection Commission oversight; breaching medical card protection regulations becomes an offence.
- Increases maximum fines for Competition and Consumer Protection Act breaches from €30,000 to €50,000; applies to nursing home directors and bodies corporate.
Health Disclosure Bill 2016
14 Nov 2024 First Stage Lapsed Denis Naughten
- Creates a procedure for healthcare providers to disclose patient safety incidents to affected patients.
- Aims to establish a formal process for reporting and communicating adverse events in healthcare settings.
- Bill did not complete the legislative process and is no longer active.
Vulnerable Persons Bill 2015
14 Nov 2024 Second Stage Lapsed Mattie McGrath
- Protects elderly and vulnerable people lacking mental or physical capacity from financial abuse by safeguarding their financial autonomy.
- Establishes reasonable grounds for intervention to prevent financial exploitation of vulnerable persons who cannot adequately manage their own finances.
- Bill lapsed without becoming law; specific protections and enforcement mechanisms not detailed in available information.
Human Tissue (Transplantation, Post-Mortem, Anatomical Examination and Public Display) Bill 2022
11 Sep 2024 Enacted
- Introduces soft opt-out system for organ donation: adults can donate organs after death unless they register objection on Organ Donation Opt-Out Register maintained by HSE.
- Requires consent for all post-mortem examinations in hospitals outside coroner jurisdiction; allows living persons to donate bodies for anatomical examination or public display.
- Repeals Anatomy Act 1832; establishes independent panel to approve certain living donations and altruistic donation; amends 2006 and 2012 EU tissue and organ regulations.
Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) (Amendment) Bill 2022
11 Sep 2024 First Stage Withdrawn Bríd Smith
- Removes the foetal viability limit for abortion where pregnant woman's life or serious health is at risk.
- Allows abortion on request before foetal viability and abolishes the 3-day waiting period for such cases.
- Permits abortion for fatal foetal abnormality likely to cause death before or within one year of birth; decriminalises abortion provision.
Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2022
11 Sep 2024 Enacted
- Sets new risk equalisation credits payable to health insurers from 1 April 2023 to compensate for costs of insuring older and less healthy members under Ireland's community-rated health insurance market.
- Revises stamp duty levy rates on insurers from 1 April 2023 to fund the updated risk equalisation credits, maintaining the scheme as Exchequer neutral.
- Expands powers of Health Insurance Authority's authorised officers to enforce regulations against unregistered entities and require identity details from suspected offenders.
Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme Bill 2022
11 Sep 2024 Enacted
- Establishes payment scheme for former residents of Mother and Baby institutions; makes lump-sum payments based on length of stay and provides free health services via enhanced medical card.
- Creates independent Chief Deciding Officer office within Department of Children to examine applications, determine eligibility, process reviews and appeals, and conduct public awareness campaign.
- Scheme closes no later than five years after establishment; applicants may request review within 60 days of determination; excludes those who previously received awards from Residential Institutions Redress Scheme for same institution.
Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2022
11 Sep 2024 Enacted
- Employees get five days' leave for medical care of relatives or household members needing significant care, without prior notice required.
- Employees can request flexible working arrangements for caring purposes; employers must respond within timeframe with limited grounds for refusal.
- Maternity protection extended to two years for breastfeeding breaks and to transgender males with gender recognition certificates who become pregnant.
Regulated Professions (Health and Social Care) (Amendment) Bill 2022
11 Sep 2024 Enacted
- Allows UK medical degree holders to access Irish medical intern training posts by recognizing UK qualifications as meeting intern requirements, subject to Medical Council criteria.
- Requires social care workers applying to CORU to meet the same safe entry standards as other regulated professions under the Act.
- Grants Minister power to prescribe and update qualifications in Schedule 3 by Order, and amends Medical Council complaints investigation processes and immunity provisions.
Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) (No. 2) Bill 2022
11 Sep 2024 Enacted
- Exempts children under 16 years old from the €80 daily charge (max €800/year) for acute in-patient services in public hospitals.
- Exempts persons using private acute in-patient services under Section 55 of the Health Act 1970 from public hospital charges.
- Amends Section 53C of the Health Act 1970 to add two new exemption categories to existing acute in-patient service charges.
Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2022
11 Sep 2024 Enacted
- Replaces ad hoc guardian ad litem system with regulated national service. New Part VA defines guardian roles, qualifications, functions, and appointment procedures for all child care proceedings.
- Guardians must ascertain child's views, advise court on best interests, furnish written reports with recommendations, and remain independent. Courts may grant party rights if necessary for child's interests.
- Minister appoints guardians, arranges legal support, pays costs, and may recover expenses from parties. Establishes authorization system with regulations setting professional standards and vetting requirements.
Electoral Reform Bill 2022
11 Sep 2024 Enacted
- Establishes an independent Electoral Commission to oversee Ireland's electoral system, manage the Register of Political Parties, review constituency and local electoral area boundaries, and regulate online political advertising.
- Modernises voter registration through continuous individual application, data sharing between authorities, pending lists for 16–17-year-olds, and provisions for persons with no fixed address and anonymous registration.
- Extends postal voting to include persons with mental health difficulties, enables pandemic-era elections, transfers referendum functions from Referendum Commissions to the new Commission, and enhances political party financial transparency.
Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Bill 2022
11 Sep 2024 Enacted
- Creates new regulatory authority (AHRRA) to license and oversee all assisted human reproduction treatment providers and embryonic stem cell researchers operating in Ireland.
- Sets legal framework for domestic surrogacy: gestational only, non-commercial, requires genetic link to at least one parent, and must be approved by AHRRA in advance.
- Establishes persons born via assisted reproduction have rights to access information about their origins; sets storage limits (10 years) for gametes and embryos unless extended.
Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2022
11 Sep 2024 Enacted
- Transfers specialist community-based disability services policy and funding responsibility from Minister for Health to Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth; HSE continues delivering services but reports to both Ministers.
- Establishes new governance and accountability structures: both Ministers can issue directions, approve plans, set budgets, and appoint board members for their respective functions; requires joint consultation on shared decisions.
- Amends Disability Act 2005 and Health Act 2007: Minister for Children gains power to prepare sectoral disability plans and direct health quality investigations for disability services.
Health and Criminal Justice (Covid-19) (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2021
11 Sep 2024 Enacted
- Extends four Covid-19 emergency Acts to 31 March 2022: Health (Preservation and Protection) Act 2020 Part 3, Criminal Justice (Enforcement Powers) Act 2020, Health (Amendment) Act 2020, and Health (Amendment) (No. 2) Act 2021.
- Allows Oireachtas to further extend these provisions by resolution for up to three additional months beyond 31 March 2022.
- Gives Government continued access to emergency measures to respond to Covid-19 spread and variants while vaccination programme continues.
Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2021
11 Sep 2024 Enacted
- Revises risk equalisation credits paid from the Fund to health insurers from 1 April 2022 for insuring older and less healthy members, with corresponding stamp duty levy adjustments to fund these credits.
- Introduces high cost claims credit to the Risk Equalisation Scheme, allowing insurers to claim compensation for individual high-cost claims above specified thresholds, strengthening health status measurement.
- Adds a time limit for claiming risk equalisation credits and adjusts the benchmark for assessing insurer overcompensation; amends Stamp Duties Consolidation Act 1999 to set new duty rates from 1 April 2022.
Health (Amendment) (No. 3) Bill 2021
11 Sep 2024 Enacted
- Amends Health Act 1947 to require mandatory quarantine in designated facilities for travellers from high-risk countries or those without pre-travel tests, for up to 14 days.
- Minister designates high-risk countries and quarantine facilities; travellers must pre-book and present themselves on arrival or face detention by gardaí.
- Quarantine costs charged to travellers as recoverable debt; appeals officer can review cases within 24 hours; exemptions available for asylum seekers and unaccompanied children.
Animal Health and Welfare and Forestry (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2021
11 Sep 2024 Enacted
- Prohibits breeding and keeping specified animals solely for fur or skin; makes fur farming an offence punishable by fine up to €250,000 and/or five years imprisonment.
- Establishes compensation scheme for three active mink farms: covers income loss, non-income loss, redundancy, demolition, and disposal costs, determined by independent assessor with High Court appeal.
- Repeals Part 12 of Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 (animal mart licensing); enables Minister to license livestock marts by regulation for animal health and welfare purposes.
Health (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2021
11 Sep 2024 Enacted
- Allows indoor venues (bars, restaurants, clubs) to operate by admitting only fully vaccinated or recovered persons, with EU Digital Covid Certificates as proof; operators must take reasonable steps to prevent unvaccinated access.
- Creates compliance inspections, enforcement powers including court orders to close non-compliant venues for up to 30 days, and criminal offences for forged documents or obstructing inspectors; operates until October 2021.
- Amends quarantine rules for international arrivals: allows early release from designated facilities after 10 days if a positive test shows no infection risk, and permits some arrivals to take post-arrival tests instead of mandatory quarantine.
CervicalCheck Tribunal (Amendment) Bill 2021
11 Sep 2024 Enacted
- Extends the CervicalCheck Tribunal deadline for submitting compensation claims from 26 July 2021 to 26 January 2022.
- Allows the Minister to extend the deadline further by order up to 26 July 2022.
- Amends the CervicalCheck Tribunal Act 2019 to create flexibility for claim submission periods.
Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2021
11 Sep 2024 Enacted
- Allows temporary sale of alcohol in outdoor seating areas linked to licensed premises during Covid-19, deeming them part of licensed premises and enabling enforcement of licensing obligations.
- Grants gardaí powers to direct compliance with licensing laws in outdoor areas, demand proof of authorisation, and issue fines up to €2,500 or six-month imprisonment for non-compliance.
- Increases maximum ordinary High Court judges from 37 to 42 and permits government to appoint additional judges beyond that maximum to address pandemic-related case backlog.
Mental Health (Capacity to Consent to Treatment) Bill 2021
11 Sep 2024 First Stage Defeated Mark Ward
- Amends Mental Health Act 2001 to allow minors aged 16+ to legally consent to mental health treatment if they have mental capacity.
- Defines mental capacity as ability to understand information, retain it, weigh treatment options, and communicate a decision about their own care.
- Recognizes 16+ year-olds as capable decision-makers with ownership over their mental health treatment choices.
Planning and Development (Amendment) (No. 3) Bill 2021
11 Sep 2024 Enacted
- Planning authorities can extend existing development plans by up to one year while preparing new ones, subject to environmental and appropriate assessments, due to Covid-19 disruption.
- Planning authorities get up to one additional year to complete development plan reviews and preparation if they started the process before this Bill's passage.
- Planning permissions can be extended by up to two years or until end of 2023 where development cannot be completed within the original timeframe, if substantial works were carried out.
Health and Criminal Justice (Covid-19) (Amendment) Bill 2021
11 Sep 2024 Enacted
- Extends Covid-19 emergency powers in four Acts from June 10, 2021 to November 9, 2021, with possible three-month extensions by parliamentary resolution.
- Continues Gardaí enforcement powers for licensed premises inspections and closure orders; allows Mental Health Act 2001 amendments for psychiatric detention reviews.
- Enables health regulations to impose fixed penalties and dwelling event provisions under the Health Act 1947 to remain in force during pandemic.
Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) (Foetal Pain Relief) Bill 2021
11 Sep 2024 First Stage Defeated Carol Nolan
- Amends Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 to require pain relief be given to unborn child in later terminations where appropriate, except in emergency cases where impracticable.
- Requires notifications to Minister for Health under Act of 2018 to include information about pain relief administration where this new requirement applies.
- Requires records kept under Act of 2018 on terminations to include information relevant to the new pain relief requirements.
Education (Leaving Certificate 2021) (Accredited Grades) Bill 2021
11 Sep 2024 Enacted
- Creates optional accredited grades system for 2021 Leaving Certificate alongside written exams; students choose exams, accredited grades, or both.
- Prohibits students/parents contacting teachers about estimated marks; SEC can withhold grades if prohibited communication occurs or false information provided.
- Gives SEC power to standardise estimated marks into accredited grades, award better result if student sits both processes, and hear appeals.
Health (Amendment) Bill 2021
11 Sep 2024 Enacted
- Mandatory quarantine in government-designated facilities for travelers arriving from high-risk Covid-19 areas or without required test results; Minister designates risk areas.
- Increased penalties for Health Act violations: fines up to €4,000-€5,000 and imprisonment up to 6 months; fixed penalty notices up to €2,000.
- Alternatives to facility quarantine for international protection applicants and unaccompanied children; appeals process for early release on humanitarian grounds.
Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) (No. 2) Bill 2024
30 Aug 2024 Enacted
- Gives Chief Inspector new enforcement powers: issue compliance notices, inspect unregistered premises suspected of operating as nursing homes, and reduce decision timelines from 28 to 14 days.
- Requires Chief Inspector to collect, share with Minister/HIQA/HSE, and publish aggregate data on nursing homes; makes false information submission an offence.
- Expands eligible family successors under Nursing Homes Support Scheme to include cousins, great-nephews/nieces, and great-grandchildren; clarifies farm asset relief provisions.
Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2024
30 Aug 2024 Enacted
- Excludes Rent a Room relief income (up to €14,000 yearly) from medical card and GP visit card financial assessments, preventing this income from affecting eligibility.
- Clarifies that pharmacists can supply approved medicines without prescriptions and identifies pharmacy as a location where healthcare professionals may administer medicines.
- Enables Minister to approve time-limited Medicines Substitution Protocols allowing pharmacists to therapeutically substitute medications during medicine shortages.
Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2023
30 Aug 2024 Enacted
- Updates Risk Equalisation Fund credits paid to insurers from 1 April 2024 to compensate for costs of insuring older and sicker members, with amounts varying by age, sex and cover type.
- Revises hospital utilisation credit amount and high-cost claims percentage applicable to health insurance contracts from 1 April 2024 onwards.
- Amends stamp duty rates in Stamp Duties Consolidation Act 1999 for 1 January–31 March 2024 and from 1 April 2024 to fund the revised credits.
Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Agency Bill 2023
30 Aug 2024 Enacted
- Creates new statutory agency for domestic, sexual and gender-based violence with functions to support refuge accommodation, fund victim services, coordinate government strategies, run awareness campaigns, and conduct research.
- Transfers certain staff, functions, rights and liabilities from Child and Family Agency to new Agency; amends Child and Family Agency Act 2013 to clarify remaining responsibilities.
- Establishes Board-led governance structure with Minister-appointed chief executive; requires corporate and annual business plans, annual accounts audited by Comptroller and Auditor General, and reporting to Oireachtas.
Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services) (Safe Access Zones) Bill 2023
30 Aug 2024 Enacted
- Creates 100-metre safe access zones around healthcare premises providing termination of pregnancy services, prohibiting conduct intended to impede access or influence decisions.
- Establishes criminal offences for prohibited conduct, with Garda warnings required before charges; penalties escalate for repeat offences, prosecuted summarily.
- Exempts healthcare staff performing normal duties, lawful protest outside Parliament, and conduct within places of worship from the prohibitions.
Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill 2023
30 Aug 2024 Enacted
- Retailers must obtain a licence from the HSE to sell tobacco and nicotine inhaling products; licences expire and must be renewed, with appeals to District Court against refusal or revocation.
- Prohibits sale of tobacco/nicotine products to children, by children, at child-focused events, and via self-service vending machines; restricts advertising in schools, public transport, and cinemas.
- Repeals old retail registration system and vending machine rules; creates new offences with court-imposed penalties including licence suspension for violations.
Health (Amendment) Bill 2023
30 Aug 2024 Enacted
- Repeals section 53C of the Health Act 1970, removing the €80 daily charge for public patients in acute hospital care, capped at €800 yearly.
- Revokes the Health (Acute In-Patient Charges) Regulations 2021, eliminating the legal framework that imposed these charges.
- Changes take effect on a date set by commencement order from the Minister for Health.
Patient Safety (Notifiable Incidents and Open Disclosure) Bill 2019
30 Aug 2024 Enacted
- Health providers must disclose serious patient safety incidents to patients/families as soon as practicable and notify HIQA, Chief Inspector or Mental Health Commission within 7 days.
- Disclosures and apologies cannot be used as evidence of fault, liability or misconduct in legal proceedings or professional disciplinary matters.
- Health providers must maintain written records of incidents, designate contact persons for patients, and provide written statements within 5 days of disclosure meetings.
Regulated Professions (Health and Social Care) (Amendment) Bill 2019
30 Mar 2022 Enacted
- Separates qualification recognition from registration for dentists and doctors; requires language proficiency and fitness assessments between recognition and registration.
- Allows appeals to High Court for minor sanctions (advice, admonishment, censure) across all five health regulatory Acts; publishes all sanctions.
- Requires annual declarations from all registered health professionals about convictions, restrictions, or prohibitions in any jurisdiction; regulatory bodies can share information across borders.
Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2020
11 May 2021 Enacted
- Sets new risk equalisation credits payable from 1 April 2021 to compensate insurers for costs of insuring older and less healthy members.
- Revises hospital utilisation credits in Schedule 3 and risk equalisation credits in Schedule 4 of the Health Insurance Act 1994 effective 1 April 2021.
- Amends stamp duty rates in the Stamp Duties Consolidation Act 1999 for periods 1 January–31 March 2021 and from 1 April 2021 onwards to fund credits.
Health (Amendment) Bill 2020
11 May 2021 Enacted
- Allows fixed penalty notices for Covid-19 regulation breaches: persons can pay set fines within 28 days instead of facing prosecution.
- Introduces tiered penalties: first offence up to €1,000 or 1 month prison; second €1,500 or 3 months; third+ €2,500 or 6 months.
- Grants gardaí power to direct people to leave private dwellings or vicinity if suspected breach of dwelling event provisions occurs.
Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2020
11 May 2021 Enacted
- Allows Minister for Health to make Orders and Regulations for healthcare reimbursement arrangements between Ireland and UK after transition period ends, supporting Common Travel Area maintenance.
- Enables Northern Ireland residents to claim reimbursement from Health Service Executive for necessary medical expenses incurred in EU Member States, EEA countries, and Switzerland.
- Amends tax law to extend income tax reliefs, pension scheme recognition, and other tax benefits to UK entities and residents post-transition to maintain existing arrangements for Irish taxpayers.
Organisation of Working Time (Workers Rights and Bogus Self-Employment) (Amendment) Bill 2019
25 Feb 2021 First Stage Withdrawn Maurice Quinlivan
- Makes it an offence for employers to misclassify employees as self-employed when the actual working relationship indicates an employment contract.
- Extends Organisation of Working Time Act protections to Garda members, Defence Forces personnel, sea workers, and trainee doctors.
- Grants self-employed workers rights to daily rest, weekly rest, maximum working hours, annual leave, and public holiday pay to reduce bogus self-employment incentives.
Central Mental Hospital (Relocation) Bill 2020
21 Jan 2021 Enacted
- Minister sets relocation day moving Central Mental Hospital from Dundrum to Portrane; all legal references to Dundrum facility automatically redirect to Portrane location.
- Persons lawfully detained under specified mental health and criminal law provisions continue detained during transition; transferred to Portrane while maintaining legal detention status.
- Dundrum facility closes within three months of relocation; section 39 of Mental Treatment Act 1961 repealed to remove statutory link to old location.
Finance (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2020
12 Jan 2021 Enacted
- Allows credit unions to hold meetings wholly or partly by remote electronic means during interim period (to 30 April 2021, extendable by Government order) and permanently thereafter, with electronic voting mechanisms.
- Enables credit union members to vote by proxy at general meetings, with proxy deposits allowed electronically up to 48 hours before meeting, subject to credit union rules.
- Extends Fiscal Council member term limit from two to three consecutive terms; adds EU as facility lender under Credit Institutions (Stabilisation) Act 2010 for State loan compliance.
Deportation Moratorium (Covid-19) Bill 2020
10 Dec 2020 First Stage Defeated Frances Black
- Proposed to ban deportations from Ireland during the Covid-19 public health emergency.
- Would have prevented removal of persons from the State while Covid-19 restrictions were in place.
- Bill did not progress beyond First Stage and was defeated in the Oireachtas.
Residential Tenancies Bill 2020
9 Nov 2020 Enacted
- Temporarily prohibits landlords from ending tenancies in areas under Covid-19 travel restrictions (5km limit), except for anti-social behaviour or unauthorised non-residential use.
- Suspends notice periods during emergency period; time spent under restrictions does not count toward tenancy termination notice deadlines.
- Protects tenants already served notice pre-emergency by allowing them to remain until restrictions end, subject to existing tenancy terms.
Criminal Justice (Enforcement Powers) (Covid-19) Bill 2020
18 Sep 2020 Enacted
- Gardaí gain powers to enter licensed premises serving alcohol, inspect for Covid-19 regulation breaches, and issue immediate closure orders for non-compliance with directions.
- Superintendent-rank Gardaí can apply to District Court for emergency closures (up to 3 days) or temporary closures (7-30 days) for repeated breaches; licensees can appeal.
- Breaches of Covid-19 regulations become grounds for objecting to pub and club license renewals; non-compliance with closure orders and notices become criminal offences.
Health (General Practitioner Service and Alteration of Criteria for Eligibility) Bill 2020
17 Aug 2020 Enacted
- Increases medical card income limits for people aged 70+: €550/week single person, €1,050/week couple.
- Introduces free GP services for children under 13, rolled out incrementally (starting at under-8s).
- Updates HSE governance references from 'Director General' to 'chief executive officer' in Health Act 1970.
Companies (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Covid-19) Bill 2020
17 Aug 2020 Enacted
- Allows companies to hold general meetings remotely or hybrid during Covid-19 interim period, with electronic voting mechanisms and deferred annual general meetings until 31 December 2020.
- Increases statutory demand threshold for company winding-up from €10,000/€20,000 to €50,000 during interim period; extends examiner reporting deadline by additional 50 days in exceptional circumstances.
- Permits company documents sealed separately (seal, director signature, secretary signature on different documents) to count as one executed document during interim period.
Civil Law and Criminal Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2020
17 Aug 2020 Enacted
- Allows courts to hold civil proceedings remotely using electronic means; permits judges to conduct hearings outside their district; unlawful recording of proceedings is an offence.
- Makes business records presumed admissible as evidence in civil proceedings if compiled in ordinary business course; requires 21-day notice to parties before trial.
- Enables temporary coroners or deputy coroners to be assigned during pandemics/mass fatalities; allows assignments up to six months, renewable, to clear inquiries backlog.
Health (Amendment) (Professional Home Care) Bill 2016
20 Apr 2020 Second Stage Lapsed Colm Burke
- Amends Health Act 2007 to create regulatory framework for professional home care providers; designates them as regulated centres subject to HIQA standards.
- Requires needs assessments, written care plans, complaints procedures, abuse protections, and medication logs for all home care recipients.
- Establishes Social Services Inspectorate registry of professional home carers; extends Minister's regulation-making power to professional home care undertakings.
Mental Health (Capacity To Consent To Treatment) Bill 2018
20 Apr 2020 Second Stage Lapsed Máire Devine
- Amends Mental Health Act 2001 to allow people aged 16+ to consent to mental health treatment without parental permission.
- Enables minors over 16 to make their own decisions about mental health care, changing current consent requirements.
- Bill lapsed; did not become law. Status and practical effect unknown as it did not complete the legislative process.
Critical Health Professionals Bill 2017
20 Apr 2020 Second Stage Lapsed Mark Daly
- Allows health professionals in publicly-funded health organisations to voluntarily defer mandatory retirement age, if both employee and employer agree in writing.
- Extension periods proposed as up to two years initially, renewable once for another two years, with both parties' ongoing consent required throughout.
- Excludes those who previously took early or voluntary retirement; preserves employees' existing conditions of employment except the mandatory retirement clause.
Health and Safety (Carbon Monoxide) Bill 2017
20 Apr 2020 First Stage Lapsed Diarmuid Wilson
- Requires all landlords—including local authorities and housing bodies—to arrange annual servicing of heat-producing carbon monoxide appliances in rental properties and keep records.
- Landlords must provide tenants with certification of service within 7 working days on request; tenants must allow access for work and may submit private service records instead.
- Breaches incur fines up to €5,000 or 6 months imprisonment; additional €250 daily fines for continuing contraventions. Minister sets enforcement rules within 60 days of passage.
Health (Exemption of Charges for Involuntary Psychiatric Patients) (Amendment) Bill 2019
20 Apr 2020 First Stage Lapsed Máire Devine
- Amends Health Act 1970 to remove in-patient fees for people detained involuntarily in psychiatric hospitals.
- Involuntary patients would not pay charges; applies only to those held under mental health detention orders.
- Bill did not progress beyond First Stage and has lapsed; never became law.
Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Bill 2019
20 Apr 2020 Second Stage Lapsed Máire Devine
- Amends 2015 Assisted Decision-Making Act to clarify how it applies to people treated under mental health and insanity laws.
- Aims to strengthen mental health service provision and protect rights of patients detained under Mental Health Act 2001.
- Bill lapsed during legislative process; specific amendments and practical changes not detailed in available information.
Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Covid-19) Bill 2020
2 Apr 2020 Enacted
- Suspends residential tenancy terminations and rent increases for initial 3-month period, extendable by government order.
- Enables simplified re-registration of retired health professionals (doctors, nurses, dentists, pharmacists, etc.) to address Covid-19 workforce needs.
- Introduces temporary wage subsidy scheme operated by Revenue Commissioners, with government contributing to eligible employers' wage costs for employees.
Health (Preservation and Protection and other Emergency Measures in the Public Interest) Bill 2020
30 Mar 2020 Enacted
- Amends Health Act 1947 to allow Minister to make regulations restricting travel, prohibiting events, and closing premises to slow Covid-19 spread.
- Enables medical officers of health to order detention and isolation of persons suspected as infection sources who refuse voluntary self-isolation.
- Extends illness benefit to self-employed and diagnosed/self-isolating Covid-19 persons; reduces jobseeker waiting periods from three days to zero during emergency.
Environment and Public Health (Wind Turbines)(No. 2) Bill 2013
19 Feb 2020 First Stage Lapsed Mick Wallace
- Sets mandatory noise limits for wind turbines based on 1999 WHO standards (30 dB in bedrooms), replacing outdated 1980 standards, and requires compliance with low-frequency noise and amplitude modulation standards.
- Establishes minimum setback distances between turbines and homes (500–2,000 metres) based on turbine height, and requires shadow flicker protection to prevent shadows passing over dwellings.
- Mandates public consultation: applicants must distribute environmental information to nearby residents, advertise public meetings in local media, and submit meeting reports to planning authorities.
Health (Amendment) Bill 2014
19 Feb 2020 First Stage Lapsed Fergus O'Dowd
- Allows HIQA to investigate complaints about care safety and quality at designated centres without needing a formal complaint process.
- Expands HIQA's investigative powers to cover unsolicited communications expressing concerns about services provided by healthcare executives and registered providers.
- Applies to designated centres and their registered providers, affecting oversight of residential care facilities and service quality standards.
Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) (Amendment) Bill 2016
19 Feb 2020 First Stage Lapsed Billy Kelleher
- Amends 2013 Act to permit switching between biologic drugs and their biosimilar versions in medical treatment.
- Aims to increase flexibility in prescribing and potentially reduce costs of biologic medicines for patients.
- Bill lapsed at First Stage; did not progress to further parliamentary debate or votes.
Mental Health (Amendment) Bill 2016
19 Feb 2020 Fifth Stage Lapsed Joan Freeman
- Amends Mental Health Act 2001 to ban child admissions to adult psychiatric units except in exceptional circumstances where best interests require it.
- Requires children admitted to adult units be housed separately from adults in age-appropriate environments with suitable facilities and conditions.
- Addresses practice where 75-95 children annually were admitted to adult units despite 2001 guidelines recommending none under 18 be placed there.
Public Health (Electronic Cigarettes and Herbal Cigarettes) Bill 2019
13 Feb 2020 First Stage Lapsed Alan Farrell
- Prohibits selling or supplying electronic cigarettes, refill containers, and herbal cigarettes to anyone under 18 years old, creating criminal offences for violations.
- Establishes penalties for breaches and allows authorised officers under tobacco law to enforce these new age restrictions on related products.
- Closes gap in existing tobacco law, which already banned sales to under-18s but did not cover electronic or herbal cigarettes.
Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2019
13 Feb 2020 Committee Stage Lapsed
- Replaces limited section 26 of Child Care Act 1991 with new Part VA establishing a formal guardian ad litem system for children in public law child care proceedings.
- Mandates High Court appoint guardians ad litem in special care proceedings; creates presumption of appointment in District Court proceedings with specified decision criteria.
- Minister establishes Executive Office to provide guardian ad litem service, arrange legal representation, monitor performance; increases Child and Family Agency Board membership by two members.
Health (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2019
13 Feb 2020 First Stage Lapsed Anne Rabbitte
- Expands HIQA's powers to enforce national standards in foster care, children's residential centres, detention schools, and Tusla services—currently HIQA can only audit, not enforce.
- Amends Health Act 2007 to include these child-care services in the definition of 'designated centre,' bringing them within HIQA's enforcement remit.
- Gives Minister for Health authority to make regulations to implement enforcement powers, subject to parliamentary approval.
Health (Amendment) Bill 2019
13 Feb 2020 First Stage Lapsed Louise O'Reilly
- Amends Health Act 1970 to require Minister for Health conduct reviews of Long Term Illness Scheme effectiveness every three years, starting within 12 months of bill passage.
- Minister must publish review findings and conclusions on Department of Health website and submit to both Houses of Oireachtas within 6 months of each review.
- Aims to update the Long Term Illness Scheme, which provides free medicines to people with specified long-term diseases, to cover conditions not currently included.
Healthy Homes Bill 2019
13 Feb 2020 First Stage Lapsed Eamon Ryan
- Amends Housing Act 1992 to require thermal efficiency standards for rented homes based on Building Energy Ratings system, with regulations to be updated by end of 2019.
- Requires landlords to test rented accommodation for radon and carry out remediation where dangerous concentrations exist, with regulations updated by end of 2019.
- Allows progressive application of standards to worst-performing properties first and permits architectural heritage derogations.
Treatment of Cancer (Advertisements) Bill 2018
13 Feb 2020 Second Stage Lapsed Kate O'Connell
- Bans advertisements offering cancer treatments or remedies, or suggesting medical consultation is unnecessary, across all media including internet and social media.
- Makes publishing prohibited cancer treatment ads a criminal offense prosecuted by Health Products Regulatory Authority, with court-imposed fines and/or imprisonment.
- Requires Authority to review the Act's operation within 18 months and report findings to Parliament within 12 months of review completion.
Prohibition of Fur Farming Bill 2018
13 Feb 2020 First Stage Lapsed Ruth Coppinger
- Bans keeping animals solely or mainly to kill them for fur sales in Ireland.
- Amends the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 to add fur farming prohibitions and related rules.
- Bill did not progress beyond First Stage introduction before it lapsed.
Irish Coast Guard Authority Bill 2018
13 Feb 2020 First Stage Lapsed Robert Troy
- Creates Irish Coast Guard Authority as independent body, replacing the Coast Guard division within the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport.
- Designates the Authority as a principal response agency to manage and coordinate responses to major emergency events across the State.
- Authority works with An Garda Síochána, HSE, local authorities, and other prescribed bodies in emergency management and coordination.
Emergency Homeless Accommodation and Direct Provision Independent Inspection Bill 2018
13 Feb 2020 First Stage Lapsed Eoin Ó Broin
- Amends Health Act 2007 to give HIQA power to inspect all emergency homeless accommodation funded by the Department of Housing, Planning and Community and Local Government.
- Grants HIQA power to inspect direct provision centres funded by the Reception and Integration Agency of the Department of Justice and Equality.
- Bill lapsed at First Stage; was not enacted into law.
Civil Liability (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2018
13 Feb 2020 First Stage Lapsed Louise O'Reilly
- Changes open disclosure of patient safety incidents from voluntary to mandatory for health providers, requiring they inform patients when things go wrong in healthcare.
- Makes it mandatory for health providers to disclose additional information about incidents to patients as soon as reasonably practicable, rather than optionally.
- Expands definition of 'incident' to include patient safety incidents occurring within the previous five years.
All Terrain Vehicle Safety Bill 2018
13 Feb 2020 First Stage Lapsed Dara Calleary
- Sets safety standards for how all-terrain vehicles are made and their component materials.
- Requires health and safety practices when all-terrain vehicles are used at work.
- Bill did not progress beyond initial introduction; status is lapsed.
Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) (Amendment) Bill 2018
13 Feb 2020 Second Stage Lapsed John Brassil
- Amends 2013 Act to set specific criteria for orphan drugs when deciding whether HSE adds them to the Reimbursement List.
- Orphan medicines (treating rare diseases) get defined assessment rules instead of general evaluation process.
- Bill lapsed during Second Stage; did not become law.
Public Health (Availability of Defibrillators) Bill 2018
13 Feb 2020 First Stage Lapsed Noel Rock
- Schools must install and maintain defibrillators accessible to the public, with clear signage and online location information.
- Schools must train staff on defibrillators, keep a register of devices, and receive civil liability protection for proper use.
- Health and Safety Authority enforces compliance; non-compliance is an offense. Bill lapsed at First Stage—no longer active.
Equality (Miscellaneous Provisions) (No.2) Bill 2017
13 Feb 2020 Second Stage Lapsed James Browne
- Adds 'mental health status' as a new protected ground in employment discrimination law, preventing employers from refusing jobs based on applicants' mental health.
- Adds 'mental health status' as a new protected ground in service provision law, preventing discrimination when accessing goods, facilities and services.
- Treats mental health status separately from disability under equality law, using human rights basis rather than restrictive medical definition of mental illness.
Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Bill 2017
13 Feb 2020 First Stage Lapsed Mary Lou McDonald
- Amends 2015 Assisted Decision-Making Act to clarify how it applies to people receiving mental health treatment under the Mental Health Act 2001.
- Addresses rights and protections for people subject to mental health orders or insanity verdicts under existing mental health and criminal law frameworks.
- Aims to strengthen mental health service provision and safeguard decision-making rights for affected individuals. Bill lapsed without enactment.
Mental Health Parity Bill 2017
13 Feb 2020 Second Stage Lapsed James Browne
- Places legal duty on Minister for Health to promote mental health parity with physical health across the health system.
- Requires all health organisations to meet parity obligations for mental health services and integrate mental with physical care.
- Aims to address systemic neglect and resource shortages in mental health through policy and cultural shift in governance.
Health and Safety (Funfair) (Amendment) Bill 2017
13 Feb 2020 Second Stage Lapsed Niall Collins
- Amends 2005 workplace safety law to set stricter health and safety rules specifically for funfairs and amusement attractions.
- Aims to improve operator and visitor protection through enhanced standards, though specific new requirements are not detailed in title.
- Bill did not complete parliament—lapsed before becoming law, so these changes were not implemented.
Medical Practitioners (Amendment) Bill 2017
13 Feb 2020 Second Stage Lapsed Billy Kelleher
- Requires doctors to declare annually to the Medical Council any income or gifts received from medical suppliers or pharmaceutical companies.
- Declarations must be made in statutory form; no thresholds or exemption amounts specified in long title.
- Bill lapsed; did not proceed beyond Second Stage debate in 2017.
Prohibition of Wild Animals in Circuses Bill 2017
13 Feb 2020 First Stage Lapsed Ruth Coppinger
- Amends Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 to ban wild animals in circuses.
- Prohibits use of wild animals in circus performances and related activities.
- Bill lapsed at First Stage; did not progress to debate or enactment.
Residential Institutions Statutory Fund (Amendment) Bill 2016
13 Feb 2020 Second Stage Lapsed Clare Daly
- Expands approved services available to former residents of residential institutions under the 2012 Fund Act.
- Improves application processing efficiency for former residents seeking support or compensation.
- Removes requirement to establish a special bank account in the Minister for Health's name.
Health and Social Care Professionals (Amendment) Bill 2016
13 Feb 2020 Second Stage Lapsed Brendan Howlin
- Adds 'crisis pregnancy counsellor' to the list of regulated health and social care professions under the 2005 Act, making statutory registration mandatory.
- Only registered crisis pregnancy counsellors may use that title; false claims face €3,000 fine and/or six months' imprisonment.
- Extends public protection system to crisis pregnancy counselling by requiring competence verification, fitness-to-practise oversight, and complaint determination.
Cannabis for Medicinal Use Regulation Bill 2016
13 Feb 2020 Second Stage Lapsed Bríd Smith
- Creates Cannabis Regulation Authority to oversee medicinal cannabis supply through licensing system.
- Allows regulated production and distribution of cannabis for medical purposes under government oversight.
- Bill did not progress beyond Second Stage debate; current status unknown without recent legislative updates.