1. Home
  2. Acts
  3. 2001
  4. Click on title below to return to Act

Updated to 26 September 2025 (Act No. 10 of 2025 and S.I. No. 416 of 2025)

All effects below are reflected in the most recent Revised Act.

Mental Health Act 2001
No. 25 of 2001

Contents

Commencement

SectionCommencement DateCommencement Information
Ss. 1-5 5 April 2002 Mental Health Act 2001 (Sections 1 to 5, 7, 31 to 55) (Commencement) Order 2002 (S.I. No. 90 of 2002), art. 2
S. 6 1 November 2006 Mental Health Act 2001 (Commencement) Order 2006 (S.I. No. 411 of 2006), art. 2
S. 7 5 April 2002 Mental Health Act, 2001 (Sections 1 to 5, 7, 31 to 55) (Commencement) Order 2002 (S.I. No. 90 of 2002), art. 2
Ss. 8-30 1 November 2006 Mental Health Act 2001 (Commencement) Order 2006 (S.I. No. 411 of 2006), art. 2
Ss. 31-55 5 April 2002 Mental Health Act 2001 (Sections 1 to 5, 7, 31 to 55) (Commencement) Order 2002 (S.I. No. 90 of 2002), art. 2
Ss. 56-75 1 November 2006 Mental Health Act 2001 (Commencement) Order 2006 (S.I. No. 411 of 2006), art. 2

Amendments and other effects

How AffectedAffecting Provision
Act included in collectively cited Mental Health Acts 19/2008, s. 8(2), (3)
  25/2009, s. 1(2)
  10/2018, s. 5(2)
  23/2018, s. 9(2)
Application of Act extended 64/2015, ss. 1(2), 106
Applied 19/2008, s. 4(2)
Saver S.I. No. 551 of 2006, regs. 2, 20(1)
Saver 11/2006, ss. 16(2), 26(2).
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
S. 2 (1) amended 10/2018, ss. 2, 5(3)
  24/2010, ss. 1(2), 98(2)
  25/2009, s. 63(1)
  42/2004, ss. 3 (1), 72, sch. 7, pt. 12
S. 2(1) applied 19/2008, s. 1(2)
S. 2(1) constr. refs. "registered medical practitioner", Medical Registration Council/ Medical Council 25/2007, ss. 1(3), 108(1),(3)
S. 2(1) constr. refs.  "General Register of Medical Practitioners" 5/2007, ss. 1(3), 108(2)
S. 2A inserted 2/2020, ss. 1(2)(b), 16
S. 2A ceased 2/2020, s. 1(3) as substituted by 12/2021, ss. 2, 5(2)
S. 2A continued in force Resolution of Dáil Éireann: Debates Volume 999 No. 7, 22 October 2020, Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Covid-19) Act 2020 - Part 5: Motion
  Resolution of Seanad Éireann: Debates Vol. 272 No. 1, 22 October 2020, Health (Preservation and Protection and other Emergency Measures in the Public Interest) Act 2020 and Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Covid-19) Act 2020: Motions
S. 4 substituted 10/2018, ss. 3, 5(3)
S. 4A inserted 10/2018, ss. 4, 5(3)
S. 9(1) constr. refs. "registered medical practitioner" 25/2007, ss. 1(3), 108(1)
S. 9(1)(a) am. 24/2010, ss. 1(2), 98(3)(a)
S. 9(2)(b) am. 24/2010, ss. 1(2), 98(3)(b)
S. 9(2)(f) am. 24/2010, ss. 1(2), 98(3)(b)
S. 9(2)(cc) par. ins. 25/2009, s. 63(2)
S. 9(2)(e) constr. refs. "registered medical practitioner" 25/2007, ss. 1(3), 108(1)
S. 9 (7) am. 42/2004, ss. 3 (1), 72, sch. 7, pt. 12
S. 9(8) amended 6/2018, ss. 1(2), 48
  24/2010, ss. 1(2), 98(3)(c)
  42/2004, ss. 3 (1), 72, sch. 7, pt. 12
S. 10 constr. refs. "registered medical practitioner" 25/2007, ss. 1(3), 108(1)
S. 10(3)(c) am. 24/2010, ss. 1(2), 98(4)
S. 11(1) constr. refs. "registered medical practitioner" 25/2007, ss. 1(3), 108(1)
S. 12(2) constr. refs. "registered medical practitioner" 25/2007, ss. 1(3), 108(1)
S. 12(4) constr. refs. "registered medical practitioner" 25/2007, ss. 1(3), 108(1)
S. 13(2) am. 25/2009, s. 63(3)(a)
S. 13(2) constr. refs. "registered medical practitioner" 25/2007, ss. 1(3), 108(1)
S. 13(3) am. 25/2009, s. 63(3)(b)
S. 13(3) constr. refs. "registered medical practitioner" 25/2007, ss. 1(3), 108(1)
S. 14(3)(a) am. 24/2010, ss. 1(2), 98(5)
Ss. 15-18 transitional provisions for unexpired renewal orders, replacement renewal orders and confirmation of expired renewal orders 19/2008, ss. 3, 4, 5, 7(2)
S. 15(3) substituted 23/2018, ss. 4, 9(3)
S. 16(2)(ee) inserted 23/2018, ss. 5, 9(3)
S. 17(1) amended 23/2018, ss. 6, 9(3)
S. 17(1)(b) substituted 64/2015, ss. 1(2), 144(a)
S. 17(1)(c) substituted 2/2020, ss. 1(2)(b), 17(a)(i)
S. 17(1)(d) inserted 2/2020, ss. 1(2)(b), 17(a)(ii)
S. 17(2) application suspended 2/2020, ss. 1(2)(b), 23(a)
S. 17(3) substituted 2/2020, ss. 1(2)(b), 17(b)
S. 17(5) inserted 2/2020, ss. 1(2)(b), 17(c)
S. 17(6) inserted 2/2020, ss. 1(2)(b), 17(c)
S. 18(2) substituted 23/2018, ss. 7, 9(3)
S. 18(3) amended 2/2020, ss. 1(2)(b), 18(a)
S. 18(3A) inserted 2/2020, ss. 1(2)(b), 18(b)
S. 18(3B) inserted 2/2020, ss. 1(2)(b), 18(b)
S. 18(4) substituted 2/2020, ss. 1(2)(b), 18(c)
S. 19 applied 19/2008, s. 4(5)
S. 19 saver for proceedings under 19/2008, s. 7(2)
S. 23(1) constr. refs. "registered medical practitioner" 25/2007, ss. 1(3), 108(1)
S. 23(2), (3) amended 42/2004, ss. 3 (1), 72, sch. 7, pt. 12
S. 24(1) amended 24/2010, ss. 1(2), 98(6)
S. 25(1), subsec. substituted 42/2004, ss. 3 (1), 72, sch. 7, pt. 12
S. 25(2)-(4), (9)-(11) am. 42/2004, ss. 3 (1), 72, sch. 7, pt. 12
S. 25(14) substituted 21/2022, ss. 10, 13(3)
S. 27(1) am. 25/2009, s. 63(4)
S. 28 saver for rights or entitlements under 19/2008, s. 7(1)
S. 28 order deemed in force until revocation under 19/2008, s. 5(2)
S. 28 applied 19/2008, s. 3(2)
S. 28(3)(b) amended 2/2020, ss. 1(2)(b), 19(a)
S. 28 (4) amended 42/2004, ss. 3 (1), 72, sch. 7, pt. 12
S. 28(5) amended 2/2020, ss. 1(2)(b), 19(b)
S. 28(6) inserted 2/2020, ss. 1(2)(b), 19(c)
Part 3 (ss. 31-55) application extended 64/2015, ss. 1(2), 98
Part 3 (ss. 31-55), establishment day appointed S.I. No. 91 of 2002, art. 2
S. 33(3)(c) deleted 64/2015, ss. 1(2), 144(b)
S. 33(3)(c) transfer of functions S.I. No. 418 of 2011, arts. 1(2), 3 and sch. 1
S. 35 (2) (h), par. substituted 42/2004, ss. 3 (1), 72, sch. 7, pt. 12
S. 41 transfer of cert. functions 10/2011, ss. 1(2), 6, 9, 20 & Sch. 2 pt. 1
S. 44 transfer of functions S.I. No. 418 of 2011, arts. 1(2), 3 and sch. 1
S. 48(3)(c) constr. refs. "registered medical practitioner" 25/2007, ss. 1(3), 108(1)
S. 48(3A) inserted 2/2020, ss. 1(2)(b), 20
S. 48(3B) inserted 2/2020, ss. 1(2)(b), 20
S. 44(8) transfer of functions S.I. No. 418 of 2011, arts. 1(2), 3 and sch. 1
S. 48(6) amended 29/2024, ss. 1(2), 34
S. 48(12) am. 42/2004, ss. 3(1), 72, sch. 7, pt. 12
S. 49(2)(a) application suspended 2/2020, ss. 1(2)(b), 23(b), 24
S. 49(2)(b) application suspended 2/2020, ss. 1(2)(b), 23(b), 24
S. 49(2)(c) application suspended 2/2020, ss. 1(2)(b), 23(b), 24
S. 49(2)(ca) inserted 2/2020, ss. 1(2)(b), 21(a), 24
S. 49(3) application suspended 2/2020, ss. 1(2)(b), 23(b), 24
S. 49(4)(a) application suspended 2/2020, ss. 1(2)(b), 23(b), 24
S. 49(4)(b) application suspended 2/2020, ss. 1(2)(b), 23(b), 24
S. 49(4)(c) amended 2/2020, ss. 1(2)(b), 21(b), 24
S. 49(5) references construed 13/2021, s. 4(2), schedule 2
S. 49(6)(a) amended 2/2020, ss. 1(2)(b), 21(c)(i), 24
S. 49(6)(c) substituted 2/2020, ss. 1(2)(b), 21(c)(ii), 24
S. 49(6)(f) application suspended 2/2020, ss. 1(2)(b), 23(b)
S. 49(6)(g) application suspended 2/2020, ss. 1(2)(b), 23(b), 24
S. 49(6)(h) application suspended 2/2020, ss. 1(2)(b), 23(b)
S. 49(6)(i) application suspended 2/2020, ss. 1(2)(b), 23(b)
S. 49(11) application suspended 2/2020, ss. 1(2)(b), 23(b)
S. 49(12) inserted 2/2020, ss. 1(2)(b), 21(d), 24
S. 50(3) transfer of functions S.I. No. 418 of 2011, arts. 1(2), 3 and sch. 1
S. 54(4), (5) transfer of functions S.I. No. 418 of 2011, arts. 1(2), 3 and sch. 1
Part 4 (ss. 56-61) application extended 11/2006, ss. 3(3), 26(2)
Ss. 56, 57 compliance with advance healthcare directive confirmed with certain exceptions 64/2015, s. 85(7)(a) as substituted by 46/2022, ss. 1(6), 74
Ss. 56, 57 reference to "patient" construed 64/2015, s. 136(1A) as inserted by 46/2022, s. 91
S. 58 substituted 2/2020, ss. 1(2)(b), 22
S. 59 compliance with advance healthcare directive confirmed with certain exceptions 64/2015, s. 85(7)(a) as substituted by 46/2022, ss. 1(6), 74
S. 59 reference to "patient" construed 64/2015, s. 136(1A) as inserted by 46/2022, s. 91
S. 59(1)(b) amended 58/2015, ss. 4(2), 2
S. 60 compliance with advance healthcare directive confirmed with certain exceptions 64/2015, s. 85(7)(a) as substituted by 46/2022, ss. 1(6), 74
S. 60 reference to "patient" construed 64/2015, s. 136(1A) as inserted by 46/2022, s. 91
S. 60(b) amended 58/2015, ss. 4(2), 3
S. 64(3)(c) applied S.I. No. 551 of 2006, regs. 2, 34
S. 71A inserted 25/2009, s. 63(5)

SIs made under the Act

SectionSIs made under the Act
S. 5 Mental Health Act 2001 (Period Prescribed under Section 72(6)) Regulations 2008 (S.I. No. 44 of 2008)
  Mental Health Act 2001 (Authorised Officer) Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 550 of 2006)
  Mental Health Act 2001 (Approved Centres) Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 551 of 2006)
S. 9 Mental Health Act 2001 (Authorised Officer) Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 550 of 2006)
S. 31 Mental Health Act, 2001 (Establishment Day) Order 2002 (S.I. No. 91 of 2002)
S. 40 Mental Health Commission Superannuation Scheme 2017 (S.I. No. 66 of 2017)
S. 66 Mental Health Act 2001 (Approved Centres) Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 551 of 2006)
S. 72 Mental Health Act 2001 (Period Prescribed under Section 72(6)) Regulations 2008 (S.I. No. 44 of 2008)