Insurance medical-history Act brought into force by Finance Minister

The Minister for Finance has brought into force the Insurance (Disregard of Certain Medical History and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2026, a reform that changes how insurers may treat the medical history of applicants. The commencement is effected by S.I. No. 443 of 2026, the Insurance (Disregard of Certain Medical History and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2026 (Commencement) Order 2026, published in Iris Oifigiúil (Number 69) on Friday, 28 August 2026.

The Order was made by the Minister for Finance in exercise of the powers conferred by section 1(2) of the Act, which is cited as No. 23 of 2026. It was signed by John Hogan, Secretary General of the Department of Finance, and copies are available from Government Publications, Mountshannon Road, Kilmainham, Dublin, at a price of €1.50.

What the Act changes

The Act introduces a new framework governing the extent to which insurers may disregard certain medical history when assessing applications for insurance cover. Its central purpose is to restrict reliance on past medical information that would otherwise weigh against applicants, aligning underwriting practice with the policy objectives set out in the legislation.

The commencement Order activates the provisions of the Act, making them operative in Irish law from the date of commencement. As a commencement instrument, it does not itself amend the substantive rules but brings the primary legislation into effect.

Issuing authority and legal basis

• Issuing body: the Minister for Finance, acting under section 1(2) of the Act.
• Primary legislation: the Insurance (Disregard of Certain Medical History and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2026 (No. 23 of 2026).
• Instrument: S.I. No. 443 of 2026.
• Signatory: John Hogan, Secretary General, Department of Finance.
• Publication: Iris Oifigiúil, Number 69, 28 August 2026.

What it means for policyholders

For consumers, the commencement of the Act signals a shift in how insurers may use medical history in pricing and deciding cover. The reform is intended to prevent past medical conditions from being treated as automatic grounds for refusal or penalisation, giving applicants a more predictable and fairer assessment process.

The Order forms part of a broader set of financial-services instruments published in the same issue of the gazette, including new rules on savings certificates and Post Office Savings Bank interest on deposits. Together they reflect the ongoing regulatory activity of the Department of Finance and the National Treasury Management Agency in the summer of 2026.

Source: Iris Oifigiúil, Number 69, 28 August 2026 (official reference: S.I. No. 443 of 2026).