Mental Health Bill 2024: From the Seanad
Dail Éireann — 2026-04-29
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Mary Butler (FF), Waterford

The two amendments in this grouping do not represent a significant change in policy from the Bill, as passed by the Dáil, but have been included to clarify what should happen for voluntarily admitted children who are in the care of Tusla.
Amendment No. 203 provides for children who are in the care system to be admitted for inpatient mental health treatment on a voluntary basis, with the consent of Tusla, where it is in the best interests of the child. This admission is done by way of application to the Family District Court. The Family District Court judge will, in all cases, consider whether the appointment of a guardian ad litem is appropriate and in the best interests of the child.
Amendment No. 204 replaces subsections of the Bill, as published by the Dáil, with new subsections. These new subsections clearly state that children under 16 years of age may only be discharged with the consent of their parent, guardian or the Child and Family Agency where they are the subject of a care order and that they must be discharged into the care of their parents, guardian or the Child and Family Agency, as appropriate.
These amendments will ensure that there are appropriate legal safeguards in place for children who are being transferred from the care of one State body to another. I believe it is an important protection to have such admissions decided on by the Court.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-04-29/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-09-21T01:01:08+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-04-29