The information sought by the Deputy is set out in the following table.
Acts passed since 2014
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Sections not in force
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Current position
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Civil Liability (Amendment)
Act 2017 - Part 4
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Note: The Minister for Health is responsible for Part 4 of the Civil Liability (Amendment) Act 2017.
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Part 4 of the Act provides for supports for open disclosure of patient safety incidents. It is intended to commence Part 4 of the Act by the end of June 2018.
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Misuse of Drugs (Amendment)
Act 2016
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Sections 4, 5 and 7(a) and (b).
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Sections 4 and 5 facilitate the commencement of provisions of the Irish Medicines (Miscellaneous) Provisions Act 2006, transferring responsibility for the issuing of controlled drug licences from the Minister for Health to the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA). Sections 7(a) and (b) revoke certain statutory instruments which were confirmed under the Misuse of Drugs (Amendment) Act 2015. These sections will be commenced when new regulations are made.
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Children and Family
Relationships Act 2015
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Note: The Minister for Health is responsible for Parts 2 and 3 of the Act.
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Regulations to facilitate the commencement of Parts 2 and 3 of the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 are being prepared. My Department is also working to resolve a small number of technical issues in order to ensure that the processes associated with Parts 2 and 3 of the Act can be commenced.
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Health (General
Practitioner Service) Act 2015
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Section 2 - Amendment of
section 58 of Health Act 1970.
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Consultations are ongoing with the Office of the Attorney General (AGO). A decision will be made on
commencement on the conclusion of the consultation process.
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Assisted Decision-Making
(Capacity) Act 2015
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Note: The Minister for Health is responsible for Part 8 of the Act.
Section 82, except insofar as it relates to the definition of “Minister”,
sections 83 – 90,
section 91(1), except insofar as it relates to definitions of “Code of Practice” and “Working Group”,
sections 91(3) – 91(14),
sections 92 and 93.
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Part 8 of the Act provides a legislative framework for advance healthcare directives (AHDs).
Section 91(2) of the Act was commenced on 17 October 2016 and a multidisciplinary Working Group was subsequently established by the Minister for Health to assist in the development of the Code of Practice on the AHD provisions. The Working Group will submit its recommendations for the Code of Practice on the AHD provisions to the Director of the Decision Support Service. The Director shall, with the consent of the Minister for Health, publish a Code of Practice, based (whether in whole or in part) on those recommendations. The preparation of this Code of Practice will facilitate the subsequent commencement of Part 8 of the Act, pertaining to AHDs, in its entirety.
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Health Identifiers Act 2014
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Sections 7(2)-(6), 10(3),
11(1)-(5), (7), 12-20, 24, 35-39.
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The Act provides the legal basis for the introduction of a system of unique health identifiers for (a) individuals and (b) health services providers. It was always the intention that implementation of the health identifier project would be on a phased basis. Accordingly, the commencement of the Act's provisions, in a timely and relevant way, is intended to enable its proper implementation. The initial implementation focus is on the identifier for individuals and, necessary provisions in the Act, in that area, have been commenced.
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Health (General
Practitioner Service) Act 2014
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Sections 2, 3(a) and 9 - Amendments to Health Act 1970 and other issues.
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Following the conclusion of
consultations with the Office of the Attorney General (AGO) and discussions
with the HSE, a decision will be made on commencement on these sections.
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Health (Miscellaneous Provisions)
Act 2014
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Sections 6(a)(iii), 12(b), insofar as it relates to the insertion of subsection (1B) of section 26 of the
Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005, section 21.
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Section 6(a)(iii), part of section 12(b) and section 21 relate to the proposed division of the profession of radiographer into the two professions of radiographer and radiation therapist. The sections can be commenced when CORU (the statutory regulator for health and social care professionals) has made the necessary bye laws.
It is envisaged that commencement of these sections (6(a)(iii), part of 12(b), 21) will take place during 2018.
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Public Health (Sunbeds) Act
2014
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Section 14.
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Section 14 relates to training in the use of sunbeds by sunbed business operators or their employees. This matter is still under consideration.
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