Terminal Illness & End-of-Life Administration in Ireland: 5-Step Official Checklist

1. 1

   Coordinating specialist palliative care, home care, and hospice services

   Ask the person's general practitioner (GP) or hospital consultant for a referral to the local Specialist Palliative Care team operated by the Health Service Executive [1].

   • Community home care and inpatient hospice: Specialist Palliative Care teams from the Health Service Executive coordinate community palliative nursing at home, day care, outpatient symptom management, and admission to an inpatient hospice unit [1].
   • Additional support and night nursing: The Irish Hospice Foundation works alongside public services to provide planning tools (such as the Think Ahead planning pack) and supports nightly nursing care at home in partnership with the Irish Cancer Society and local hospice groups [2]. Ask the GP or public health nurse early about applying for a Medical Card under emergency/end-of-life guidelines, which removes means testing for people with a terminal diagnosis.
2. 2

   Preparing a written Advance Healthcare Directive and emergency care plan

   While the person has decision-making capacity, they can make a legally recognized Advance Healthcare Directive under the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 [3][4].

   • Advance Healthcare Directive (AHD): In an Advance Healthcare Directive, an adult (aged 18 or over with capacity) sets out their preferences for medical treatment and any specific treatments they legally refuse (including life-sustaining treatment, provided they state clearly whether the refusal applies even if their life is at risk) [3][4]. Unlike a power of attorney for property, making an Advance Healthcare Directive does not require a solicitor, though it must be signed in the presence of two witnesses [2][4].
   • Designated Healthcare Representative: Within the Advance Healthcare Directive, the person can appoint a trusted Designated Healthcare Representative (who must also sign the document) to interpret their wishes and consent to or refuse treatment in line with the directive if capacity is lost [3][4]. Templates and statutory guidance are provided by the Decision Support Service, and copies should be given to the GP, hospital team, and family [3].
3. 3

   Executing an Enduring Power of Attorney and bank mandates while capacity exists

   In Ireland, an Enduring Power of Attorney covers property, finances, and personal welfare (such as accommodation and daily care), whereas medical treatment decisions are governed by an Advance Healthcare Directive [2][4].

   • Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA) registration: Under the reformed Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 framework, an Enduring Power of Attorney must be created and registered through the online portal of the Decision Support Service while the donor still has capacity [2][3]. The process requires a legal statement from a practising solicitor, a capacity statement from a doctor or qualified healthcare professional, and formal notice to specified family members before registration with the Decision Support Service [2][3].
   • Later activation and bank mandates: If the person later loses capacity, the appointed attorney must apply to the Decision Support Service to notify and bring the Enduring Power of Attorney into effect before exercising full powers [3]. For immediate day-to-day bill paying while capacity remains intact, check with the person's bank about setting up a third-party mandate.
4. 4

   Accessing statutory Carer's Leave and Department of Social Protection carer supports

   Family members who provide full-time care and attention can apply for income support and statutory job protection:

   • Carer's Benefit and Carer's Allowance: The Department of Social Protection administers Carer's Benefit (for insured employees who leave work or reduce hours to care for someone, based on PRSI contributions) and Carer's Allowance (a means-tested weekly payment for full-time carers on lower incomes) [5][6]. Applications can be submitted online using a verified MyGovID account on MyWelfare or by post [5].
   • Carer's Support Grant and Carer's Leave: Qualifying full-time carers also receive the annual tax-free Carer's Support Grant from the Department of Social Protection, and employees can apply to their employer for up to 104 weeks of statutory unpaid job-protected Carer's Leave [5][6].
5. 5

   Reviewing the will, beneficiary nominations, tax records, and probate readiness

   Organizing legal, pension, and tax documentation in advance prevents delays for the executor and surviving family members:

   • Will and pension/insurance nominations: Ensure the person has a valid Will executed with a solicitor naming an executor, and verify beneficiary nominations on occupational pensions, PRSAs, and life assurance policies.
   • Social welfare bereavement supports: Note that Ireland's historic once-off Bereavement Grant was discontinued, but the Department of Social Protection provides the weekly Bereaved Partner's Pension (Contributory or Non-Contributory, formerly the Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's Pension and extended to eligible cohabiting partners), the once-off Bereaved Parent Grant (where there are dependent children), and a 6- to 12-week post-death payment continuation for qualifying Carer's Allowance or State Pension recipients [5][6].
   • Tax and Probate administration: Centralize PPS numbers, birth and marriage certificates, property deeds, and account details. After a death, the executor or family notifies the Revenue Commissioners (via myAccount or ROS) to adjust tax credits and file the Statement of Affairs (Probate) Form SA.2, which generates the Notice of Acknowledgement required to apply to the Probate Office of the High Court (part of the Courts Service) for a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration, alongside any Capital Acquisitions Tax (Form IT38) filings [7].

Official Authorities & Verified Contacts

Official Sources Checked by Clarvia

1. [1]
   Palliative Care Services and Planning Ahead — Health Service Executive (HSE)
2. [2]
   Planning Ahead: Enduring Power of Attorney and Advance Healthcare Directives — Irish Hospice Foundation
3. [3]
   Advance Healthcare Directives and Enduring Powers of Attorney — Decision Support Service (DSS)
4. [4]
   Advance Healthcare Directives in Ireland — Citizens Information Board
5. [5]
   Carer's Allowance and Carer Supports — Government of Ireland / Department of Social Protection
6. [6]
   Carer's Support Grant and Bereaved Partner's Pensions — Citizens Information Board
7. [7]
   Bereavement, Probate, and Tax Credits After a Death — Revenue Commissioners