Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 July 2026
904. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health if her attention has been drawn to an issue related to consent for children in need of therapeutic supports (details supplied); if her Department is examining this issue; the plans to address this issue within the current legal framework; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53606/26]
View answerThe HSE has published a National Consent Policy that sets out the HSE's policy in relation to consent to treatment for adults and for children, including circumstances where parental consent is necessary and what to do where one parent or guardian consents.
The HSE's National Consent Policy can be found here: assets.hse.ie/media/documents/ncr/HSE_Consent_Policy_2022_v1.2_-_Jan_2024.pdf
The Mental Health Act 2026, when commenced, will explicitly provide that either parent, where appropriate, can consent to admission and treatment for a child to registered acute mental health centres.
