Updated to 23 February 2024 (Act No. 4 of 2024 and S.I. No. 63 of 2024)

Health Act 1953
No. 26 of 1953

Contents

Commencement

SectionCommencement DateCommencement Information
Ss. 1-4 1 January 1954 Health Act, 1953 (Date of Commencement) Order 1953 (S.I. No. 377 of 1953), art. 3
S. 5 for the purpose of effecting repeal of Health Act 1947 (28/1947), ss. 12-14, 16, 18, 21-24, 28, 44(8) and 73  1 August 1954 Health Act, 1953 (Date of Commencement) Order 1954 (S.I. No. 62 of 1954), art. 2(b)
S. 5 for the purpose of effecting repeal of Health Act 1947 (28/1947), s. 17  Not yet commenced. Requires commencement order under s. 2
S. 5 for the purpose of effecting repeal of ss. Health Act 1947 (28/1947), 25, 26, 44(4), 55, 67 and 101  1 January 1954 Health Act, 1953 (Date of Commencement) Order 1953 (S.I. No. 377 of 1953), art. 2
S. 5 for the purpose of effecting repeal of Health Act 1947 (28/1947), s. 27  Not yet commenced. Requires commencement order under s. 2
S. 5 for the purpose of effecting repeal of Health Act 1947 (28/1947), s. 41  Not yet commenced. Requires commencement order under s. 2
S. 5 for the purpose of effecting repeal of Public Assistance Act 1939 (27/1939) 1 August 1954 Health Act, 1953 (Date of Commencement) Order 1954 (S.I. No. 62 of 1954), art. 2(a)
S. 5 for the purpose of effecting repeal of Mental Treatment Act 1945 (19/1945) 1 August 1954 Health Act, 1953 (Date of Commencement) Order 1954 (S.I. No. 62 of 1954), art. 2(a)
Ss. 6-10 1 August 1954 Health Act, 1953 (Date of Commencement) Order 1954 (S.I. No. 62 of 1954), art. 4
Ss. 11-13 1 January 1954 Health Act, 1953 (Date of Commencement) Order 1953 (S.I. No. 377 of 1953), art. 3
Ss. 14-20 1 August 1954 Health Act, 1953 (Date of Commencement) Order 1954 (S.I. No. 62 of 1954), art. 4
S. 21 1 January 1955 Health Act, 1953 (Date of Commencement) Order 1954 (S.I. No. 62 of 1954), art. 6
S. 22 1 August 1954 Health Act, 1953 (Date of Commencement) Order 1954 (S.I. No. 62 of 1954), art. 4
S. 23 1 January 1954 Health Act, 1953 (Date of Commencement) Order 1953 (S.I. No. 377 of 1953), art. 3
Ss. 24-28 1 August 1954 Health Act, 1953 (Date of Commencement) Order 1954 (S.I. No. 62 of 1954), art. 4
S. 29 1 January 1954 Health Act, 1953 (Date of Commencement) Order 1953 (S.I. No. 377 of 1953), art. 3
Ss. 30-32 1 August 1954 Health Act, 1953 (Date of Commencement) Order 1954 (S.I. No. 62 of 1954), art. 4
Ss. 33-35 1 January 1954 Health Act, 1953 (Date of Commencement) Order 1953 (S.I. No. 377 of 1953), art. 3
Ss. 36(1),(2) 1 January 1954 Health Act, 1953 (Date of Commencement) Order 1953 (S.I. No. 377 of 1953), art. 3
S. 36(3) 1 August 1954 Health Act, 1953 (Date of Commencement) Order 1954 (S.I. No. 62 of 1954), art. 4
Ss. 37-40 1 January 1954 Health Act, 1953 (Date of Commencement) Order 1953 (S.I. No. 377 of 1953), art. 3
S. 41 31 March 1954 Health Act, 1953 (Date of Commencement) Order 1954 (S.I. No. 62 of 1954), art. 3
S. 42 1 August 1954 Health Act, 1953 (Date of Commencement) Order 1954 (S.I. No. 62 of 1954), art. 4
Ss. 43-47 1 January 1954 Health Act, 1953 (Date of Commencement) Order 1953 (S.I. No. 377 of 1953), art. 3
S. 48 31 March 1954 Health Act, 1953 (Date of Commencement) Order 1954 (S.I. No. 62 of 1954), art. 3
S. 49 1 January 1954 Health Act, 1953 (Date of Commencement) Order 1953 (S.I. No. 377 of 1953), art. 3
S. 50  1 October 1954 Health Act, 1953 (Date of Commencement) Order 1954 (S.I. No. 62 of 1954), art. 5
Ss. 51-57 1 August 1954 Health Act, 1953 (Date of Commencement) Order 1954 (S.I. No. 62 of 1954), art. 4
Ss. 58-65 1 January 1954 Health Act, 1953 (Date of Commencement) Order 1953 (S.I. No. 377 of 1953), art. 3
S. 66 1 August 1954 Health Act, 1953 (Date of Commencement) Order 1954 (S.I. No. 62 of 1954), art. 4
Ss. 67,68 1 January 1954 Health Act, 1953 (Date of Commencement) Order 1953 (S.I. No. 377 of 1953), art. 3
S. 69 1 August 1954 Health Act, 1953 (Date of Commencement) Order 1954 (S.I. No. 62 of 1954), art. 4
S. 70 1 January 1954 Health Act, 1953 (Date of Commencement) Order 1953 (S.I. No. 377 of 1953), art. 3
S. 71 1 August 1954 Health Act, 1953 (Date of Commencement) Order 1954 (S.I. No. 62 of 1954), art. 4
S. 72 1 January 1954 Health Act, 1953 (Date of Commencement) Order 1953 (S.I. No. 377 of 1953), art. 3
S. 5 (?) Health Act, 1953 (Date of Commencement) Order 1954 (S.I. No. 62 of 1954)
S. 38 (?) S. 38(6)

Amendments and other effects

How AffectedAffecting Provision
Regs. ctd. 1/1970, s.72 (3)
References construed 20/2014, ss. 1(3), 4, 6(2)
References construed 1/2014, ss. 1(22), 9(2),(3)
Transfer of cert. functns. under S.I. No. 418 of 2011, arts. 1(2), 3 & sch. 1
  42/2004, ss. 3 (1), 4, 58, 59 (1) (2) (3), 74, schs. 3, 5 pt. 4
S.4 rstrct. 17/1981, ss. 2, 44 (2)
S. 6 rep. 1/1970, ss. 1 (4), 3, sch. 1
S. 16(4) constr. refs. "registered medical practitioner" 25/2007, ss. 1(3), 108(1)
S. 17(2) constr. refs. "registered medical practitioner" 25/2007, ss. 1(3), 108(1)
S. 33 rep. 1/1970, ss. 1 (4), 3, sch. 1
S. 35 constr. refs. "registered medical practitioner" 25/2007, ss. 1(3), 108(1)
S. 36(2) rep. 18/2010, ss. 1(2), 3(1)
S.41 (a) (c) rep. 32/1996, s.23 (1), sch. 2, pt. 1
S.42 rep. 33/1964, s.1, sch.
S.45 rep. 1/1970, ss. 1 (4), 3, sch. 1
S.45 (9) (a) (d) am. 1/1970, s.35 (1)
Ss. 46-53 rep. 1/1970, ss. 1 (4), 3, sch. 1
S. 55 repealed S.I. No. 258 of 1995, art. 3, schedule
Ss. 55, 56, 57 rep. 17/1991, ss. 1 (2), 79, sch.
Ss. 55, 56 rep. S. I. No. 258 of 1995, art. 3, sch.
S.55, approved schools registration trans. 17/1991, ss. 1 (2), 67 (2)
S.55 ext. 18/1989, s.4 (4)
S.55, trans. of arrangement of maintenance under. 17/1991, ss. 1 (2), 48 (8)
S. 55 applied with restrictions S.I. No. 67 of 1983, regs. 2, 5
S.55 (4) (5), arrangements trans. 17/1991, ss. 1 (2), 45 (3)
S.55 (9) (c), prov. for continuance of maintenance under. 17/1991, ss. 1 (2), 48 (7)
S. 56 repealed S.I. No. 258 of 1995, art. 3, schedule
S.59 (4) am. 9/1991, s.45 (a)
S.59 (4) (a) am. 9/1991, s.45 (b)
S.59 (4) (b) del. 9/1991, s.45 (c)
S.59 (4) (5) am. 12/1971, s.24
S.59 (5) (a) (vi) added. 9/1991, s.45 (d)
S. 59(6) constr. refs. "registered medical practitioner" 25/2007, ss. 1(3), 108(1)
S.62 (1) (b) (ii) am. 1/1983, ss. 7 (2) (a), 9 (1)
  33/2004, ss. 3, 4, 61 (1), 63, sch. 2, pt. 1
  42/2004, ss. 3 (1), 75, sch. 6, pt. 2
S. 62 adapt. S. I. No. 106 of 1971, art. 6, sch.
S. 62(1)(b)(ii) deleted 16/2020, ss. 1(2), 186
S. 63(1) constr. refs. "registered medical practitioner" 25/2007, ss. 1(3), 108(1)
S. 63(4) constr. refs. Medical Registration Council/Medical Council 25/2007, ss. 1(3), 108(3)
S. 64 (2) adapt. S. I. No. 106 of 1971, art. 6, sch.
S.65 rep. with saver 42/2004, ss. 3 (2), 73 (1), (3) & sch. 4, pt. 1
S.65, non applic. of. 13/1999, ss. 3, 7 (6)
S.65 (1) (in pt.), subsec. substit. 32/1996, s.19
S.65 (2) rep. 17/1991, ss. 1 (2), 79, sch.
S.68 (3) adapt. S. I. No. 106 of 1971, art. 6, sch.
Ss. 71, 72 rep. 1/1970, ss. 1 (4), 3, sch. 1

SIs made under the Act

SectionSIs made under the Act
Whole Act  Maternity and Child Health Services (Amendment) Regulations 1954 (S.I. No. 158 of 1954)
  Institutional Assistance Regulations 1954 (S.I. No 103 of 1954)
  General Medical Services Regulations 1954 (S.I. No. 102 of 1954)
  General Institutional and Specialist Services Regulations 1954 (S.I. No. 100 of 1954)
  Maternity and Child Health Services Regulations 1954 (S.I. No. 98 of 1954)
S. 2 Health Act, 1953 (Date of Commencement) Order, 1954 (S.I. No. 62 of 1954)
  Health Act, 1953 (Date of Commencement) Order, 1953 (S.I. No. 377 of 1953)
S. 15 General Institutional and Specialist Services (Amendment) Regulations 1966 (S.I. No. 69 of 1966)
  General Institutional and Specialist Services (Amendment) Regulations 1958 (S.I. No. 266 of 1958)
  Specialist Services (Charges) Order 1957 (S.I. No. 198 of 1957)
  General Institutional and Specialist Services (Insured Persons) Order 1956 (S.I. No. 75 of 1956)
S. 22 General Institutional and Specialist Services (Amendment) Regulations 1968 (S.I. No. 57 of 1968)
  Maternity and Child Health Services (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 1966 (S.I. No. 105 of 1966)
  Maternity and Child Health Services (Amendment) Regulations 1966 (S.I. No. 70 of 1966)
  General Institutional and Specialist Services (Amendment) Regulations 1966 (S.I. No. 69 of 1966)
  Dental and Aural Appliances Regulations 1965 (S.I. No. 190 of 1965)
  Maternity and Child Health Services (Amendment) Regulations 1964 (S.I. No. 158 of 1964)
  Dental and Aural Appliances Regulations 1961 (S.I. No. 198 of 1961)
  General Institutional and Specialist Services (Amendment) Regulations 1958 (S.I. No. 266 of 1958)
  Maternity and Child Health Services (Amendment) Regulations 1958 (S.I. No. 265 of 1958)
  Maternity and Child Health Services (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 1956 (S.I. No. 142 of 1956)
  Maternity and Child Health Services (Amendment) Regulations 1956 (S.I. No. 44 of 1956)
  General Institutional and Specialist Services (Amendment) Regulations 1956 (S.I. No. 43 of 1956)
  General Medical Services (Amendment) Regulations 1955 (S.I. No. 49 of 1955)
  Maternity and Child Health Services (Amendment) Regulations 1955 (S.I. No. 48 of 1955)
  General Institutional and Specialist Services (Amendment) Regulations 1955 (S.I. No. 47 of 1955)
  General Medical Services (Amendment) Regulations 1954 (S.I. No. 159 of 1954)
S. 23 Maternity Cash Grants Regulations 1953 (S.I. No. 410 of 1953)
S. 24 Milk For Mothers and Children Regulations 1954 (S.I. No. 97 of 1954)
S. 25 General Institutional and Specialist Services (Insured Persons) Order 1956 (S.I. No. 75 of 1956)
S. 38 Food Hygiene (Amendment) Regulations 1989 (S.I. No. 62 of 1989)
  Food Hygiene (Amendment) Regulations 1971 (S.I. No. 322 of 1971)
S. 38(3) Health (Official Control of Food) Approved Laboratories Order, 1996 (S.I. No. 242 of 1996)
  Health (Official Control of Food) Regulations, 1996 (S.I. No. 241 of 1996)
  Health (Extraction Solvents in Foodstuffs) Regulations 1995 (S.I. No. 283 of 1995)
  Health (Emulsifiers, Stabilisers, Thickeners and Gelling Agents in Food) Regulations 1994 (S.I. No. 78 of 1994)
  Health (Tin in Food) Regulations 1993 (S.I. No. 389 of 1993)
  Health (Nutrition Labelling for Foodstuffs) Regulations 1993 (S.I. No. 388 of 1993)
  Health (Extraction Solvents in Foodstuffs) Regulations 1993 (S.I. No. 387 of 1993)
  Health (Cylamate in Food) (Amendment) Regulations 1992 (S.I. No. 73 of 1992)
  Health (Arsenic and Lead in Food) (Amendment) Regulations 1992 (S.I. No. 72 of 1992)
  Health (Mineral Hydrocarbons in Food) (Amendment) Regulations 1992 (S.I. No. 71 of 1992)
  Health (Solvents in Food) (Amendment) Regulations 1992 (S.I. No. 70 of 1992)
  Health (Antioxidant in Food) (Amendment) Regulations 1992 (S.I. No. 69 of 1992)
  Health (Colouring Agents in Food) (Amendment) Regulations 1992 (S.I. No. 68 of 1992)
  Health (Erucic Acid in Food) (Amendment) Regulations 1992 (S.I. No. 67 of 1992)
  Health (Preservatives in Food) (Amendment) Regulations 1992 (S.I. No. 66 of 1992)
  Health (Vinyl Chloride in Food) (Amendment) Regulations 1992 (S.I. No. 65 of 1992)
  Health (Emulsifiers, Stabilisers Thickening and Gelling Agents in Food) (Amendment) Regulations 1992 (S.I. No. 24 of 1992)
  Health (Official Control of Food) Regulations 1991 (S.I. No. 332 of 1991)
  Health (Emulsifiers, Stabilisers, Thicking and Gelling Agents in Food) (Amendment) Regulations 1990 (S.I. No. 102 of 1990)
  Health (Preservatives in Food) (Amendment) Regulations 1989 (S.I. No. 263 of 1989)
  Food Hygiene (Amendment) Regulations 1989 (S.I. No. 62 of 1989)
  Health (Emulsifiers, Stabilisers, Thickening and Gelling Agents in Food) (Amendment) Regulations 1985 (S.I. No. 186 of 1985)
  Health (Vinyl Chloride in Food) Regulations 1984 (S.I. No. 95 of 1984)
  Health (Foods For Particular Nutritional Uses) Regulations 1982 (S.I. No. 272 of 1982)
  Health (Preservatives in Food) Regulations 1981 (S.I. No. 337 of 1981)
  Health (Colouring Agents in Food) (Amendment) Regulations 1981 (S.I. No. 336 of 1981)
  Health (Emulsifiers, Stabilisers, Thickening and Gelling Agents in Food) Regulations 1980 (S.I. No. 35 of 1980)
  Health (Colouring Agents in Food) (Amendment) Regulations 1978 (S.I. No. 140 of 1978)
  Health (Erucic Acid in Food) Regulations 1978 (S.I. No. 123 of 1978)
  Health (Colouring Agents in Food) Regulations 1973 (S.I. No. 149 of 1973)
  Health (Antioxidant in Food) Regulations 1973 (S.I. No. 148 of 1973)
  Health (Preservatives in Food) Regulations 1973 (S.I. No. 147 of 1973)
  Health (Solvents in Food) Regulations 1972 (S.I. No. 304 of 1972)
  Health (Antioxidant in Food) (Amendment) Regulations 1972 (S.I. No. 303 of 1972)
  Health (Preservatives in Food) (Amendment) Regulations 1972 (S.I. No. 302 of 1972)
  Health (Colouring Matter in Food) (Amendment) Regulations 1972 (S.I. No. 301 of 1972)
  Health (Mineral Hydrocarbons in Food) Regulations 1972 (S.I. No. 45 of 1972)
  Health (Arsenic and Lead in Food) Regulations 1972 (S.I. No. 44 of 1972)
  Health (Preservatives in Food) Regulations 1972 (S.I. No. 43 of 1972)
  Health (Antioxidant in Food) Regulations 1972 (S.I. No. 42 of 1972)
  Health (Colouring Matter in Food) Regulations 1972 (S.I. No. 41 of 1972)
S. 45 Mental Health Boards Order 1960 (S.I. No. 140 of 1960)
  Waterford Board of Public Assistance (Health Functions) Order 1958 (S.I. No. 270 of 1958)
  South Cork Board of Public Assistance (Health Functions) Order 1958 (S.I. No. 269 of 1958)
  Dublin Public Assistance Authorities (Health Functions) Order 1958 (S.I. No. 268 of 1958)
  Waterford Board of Public Assistance (Health Functions) Order 1956 (S.I. No. 74 of 1956)
  South Cork Board of Public Assistance (Health Functions) Order 1956 (S.I. No. 73 of 1956)
  Dublin Public Assistance Authorities (Health Functions) Order 1956 (S.I. No. 72 of 1956)
  Waterford Board of Public Assistance (Health Functions) Order 1955 (S.I. No. 21 of 1955)
  South Cork Board of Public Assistance (Health Functions) Order 1955 (S.I. No. 17 of 1955)
  Western Health Institutions Board Order, 1953 (Amendment) Order 1954 (S.I. No. 166 of 1954)
  Cork Sanatoria Board Order, 1953 (Amendment) Order 1954 (S.I. No. 165 of 1954)
  Waterford Board of Public Assistance (Health Functions) Order 1954 (S.I. No. 164 of 1954)
  South Cork Board of Public Assistance (Health Functions) Order 1954 (S.I. No. 163 of 1954)
  Dublin Public Assistance Authorities (Health Functions) Order (S.I. No. 162 of 1954)
  Cork Sanatoria Board Order 1953 (S.I. No. 416 of 1953)
  Western Health Institutions Board Order 1953 (S.I. No. 415 of 1953)
  Public Assistance Authorities (Health Functions) Order 1953 (S.I. No. 414 of 1953)
S. 45(9) Joint Health Boards (Dissolution) Order 1971 (S.I. 118 of 1971)
S. 46 Dublin Public Assistance Authorities (Health Functions) Order 1958 (S.I. No. 268 of 1958)
  Dublin Public Assistance Authorities (Health Functions) Order 1956 (S.I. No. 72 of 1956)
  Dublin Public Assistance Authorities (Health Functions) Order (S.I. No. 162 of 1954)
  Public Assistance Authorities (Health Functions) Order 1953 (S.I. No. 414 of 1953)
S. 48 Consultative Health Committees (Dublin, Cork and Waterford) (Amendment) Regulations 1955 (S.I. No. 31 of 1955)
  Consultative Health Committees (Dublin, Cork and Waterford) Regulations 1954 (S.I. No. 73 of 1954)
S. 48(8) Consultative Health Committees (Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Waterford) Regulations 1963 (S.I. No. 241 of 1963)
S. 50(2) Disabled Persons (Rehabilitation) Regulations 1963 (S.I. No. 141 of 1963)
S. 50(5) Disabled Persons (Maintenance Allowances) (Amendment) Regulations 1972 (S.I. No. 168 of 1972)
  Disabled Persons (Maintenance Allowances) (Amendment) Regulations 1971 (S.I. No. 207 of 1971)
  Disabled Persons (Maintenance Allowances) (Amendment) Regulations 1970 (S.I. No. 169 of 1970)
  Disabled Persons (Maintenance Allowances) (Amendment) Regulations 1969 (S.I. No. 142 of 1969)
  Disabled Persons (Maintenance Allowances) (Amendment) Regulations 1968 (S.I. No. 155 of 1968)
  Disabled Persons (Maintenance Allowances) (Amendment) Regulations 1967 (S.I. No. 188 of 1967)
  Disabled Persons (Maintenance Allowances) (Amendment) Regulations 1966 (S.I. No. 244 of 1966)
  Disabled Persons (Maintenance Allowances) (Amendment) Regulations 1965 (S.I. No. 176 of 1965)
  Disabled Persons (Maintenance Allowances) (Amendment) Regulations 1964 (S.I. No. 192 of 1964)
  Disabled Persons (Maintenance Allowances) Regulations 1963 (S.I. No. 142 of 1963)
  Disabled Persons (Maintenance Allowances) (Amendment) Regulations 1962 (S.I. No. 133 of 1962)
  Disabled Persons (Maintenance Allowances) Regulations (S.I. No. 261 of 1960)
  Disabled Persons (Maintenance Allowances) (Amendment) Regulations 1957 (S.I. No. 51 of 1957)
  Disabled Persons (Maintenance Allowances) Regulations 1954 (S.I. No. 207 of 1954)
S. 51(2) County Mayo (Dispensary Districts) Order 1967 (S.I. No. 170 of 1967)
  County Mayo (Dispensary Districts) Order 1965 (S.I. No. 51 of 1965)
  County Wexford (Dispensary Districts) (No. 2) Order 1964 (S.I. No. 293 of 1964)
  County Wexford (Dispensary Districts) Order 1964 (S.I. No. 107 of 1964)
  County Clare (Dispensary Districts) Order 1963 (S.I. No. 84 of 1963)
  Cork Health Authority Area (Dispensary Districts) Order 1963 (S.I. No. 211 of 1963)
  Dublin Health Authority Area (Dispensary Districts) Order 1963 (S.I. No. 74 of 1963)
  County Galway (Dispensary Districts) Order 1963 (S.I. No. 61 of 1963)
  County Laoighis (Dispensary Districts) Order 1962 (S.I. No. 213 of 1962)
  County Kildare (Dispensary Districts) Order 1962 (S.I. No. 145 of 1962)
  County Meath (Dispensary Districts) Order 1962 (S.I. No. 41 of 1962)
  County Kerry (Dispensary Districts) (No. 2) Order 1961 (S.I. No. 281 of 1961)
  County Meath (Dispensary Districts) Order 1961 (S.I. No. 280 of 1961)
  Dublin Health Authority Area (Dispensary Districts) Order 1961 (S.I. No. 193 of 1961)
  County Wicklow (Dispensary Districts) Order 1961 (S.I. No. 172 of 1961)
  County Kerry (Dispensary Districts) Order 1961 (S.I. No. 152 of 1961)
  County Wexford (Dispensary Districts) Order 1961 (S.I. No. 150 of 1961)
  Limerick Health Authority Area (Dispensary Districts) Order 1961 (S.I. No. 108 of 1961)
  Cork Health Authority Area (Dispensary Districts) Order 1961 (S.I. No. 63 of 1961)
  Dublin Health Authority Area (Dispensary Districts) (Number 2) Order 1960 (S.I. No. 253 of 1960)
  Dublin Health Authority Area (Dispensary Districts) Order 1960 (S.I. No. 228 of 1960)
  Dublin Public Assistance District (Dispensary Districts) Order 1959 (S.I. No. 56 of 1959)
  County Longford (Dispensary Districts) Order 1959 (S.I. No. 41 of 1959)
  Waterford Public Assistance District (Dispensary Districts) Order 1958 (S.I. No. 107 of 1958)
  Wicklow County and Rathdown Public Assistance District (Dispensary Districts) Order 1957 (S.I. No. 225 of 1957)
  Dublin City and County Dispensary Districts Order 1956 (S.I. No. 111 of 1956)
  County Waterford (Dispensary Districts) Order 1955 (S.I. No. 167 of 1955)
  The County Borough of Limerick (Dispensary Districts) Order 1954 (S.I. No. 293 of 1954)
S. 54 Institutional Assistance Regulations 1965 (S.I. No. 177 of 1965)
S. 55 Boarding Out of Children Regulations 1983 (S.I. No. 67 of 1983)
  Boarding Out of Children Regulations 1954 (S.I. No. 101 of 1954)