You cannot donate at this time. However, we would be delighted to see you when you are 18.

Donors over 70/plus must have a GP letter stating fitness to donate (this needs to be renewed annually), have donated within the last two years and are otherwise eligible. The maximum age to give blood is 79 years.

If you are over 65 and have never given blood before, then you cannot donate However:  - if you are between 65 and 69 years and have given blood in the last 10 years then you can give blood.  

The upper age criteria is different for donors with HH. Please click here for more details.

If you weigh less than 50 kgs or over 158 kgs you are unable to donate at this time. 

Yes - If you are a female (including transgender females) or transgender male donor , donating for the first time or you have not donated in 5 years or you are under 26 years of age and are less than 5ft 6 inches (168cms) in height and less than 10st 3lb (65 kgs), your height and weight will need to be assessed to establish your eligibility to donate.

Please click here if this applies to you. 

Some medications can be harmful to a patient receiving a blood transfusion.  You may not be be able to donate if you are taking medication to treat an illness or infection.

In general, you must be fully recovered from an illness or infection and have completed the course of medication before donating.

Certain medical conditions require long term use of medication.  For information about specific conditions and medications, please see the FAQs. 

Please note, not all medications prevent donation -  please contact us at 1800 731137 for further information. Please ensure that you know the name of any medication you are currently taking or have taken in the past 4 weeks so that we can can assess your eligibility to donate.  

You cannot donate if you have any illness or injury which may mean that it is not safe to give your blood to a sick patient. Please check the FAQs or contact us on 1800 731 137 so that we can advise you.

If Yes

If you were diagnosed with a medical condition or illness please check the FAQ's or contact us on 1800 731 137 so we can advise you

You cannot donate if you had an endoscopy ( scope)  in the last 4 months

Xrays / scans are not  a reason for deferral however the reason for the investigation or outcome of the result could be - contact us on 1800 731 137 if you have any queries

Have you had dental treatment in the last 4 weeks ?

If no treatment in the last 4 weeks you can proceed

If Yes please note the following:

 - Fitting or adjusting of dental braces - Ok to donate once well

 - Uncomplicated filling / scale or polish - Must wait for 24 hours prior to attending a clinic

 - Uncomplicated extraction / tooth removal must wait for 7 days

 - Dental cap / crown Must wait until treatment complete and one week thereafter

 - Dental implant - once site healed can donate

 - Root Canal Must wait for completion of treatment and one week thereafter

You cannot donate if you have had a tattoo or piercing in the last 4 months.

Have you had Dry Needling or Acupuncture in the last 4 months ?

If No proceed

If Yes - You can donate if either treatment has been performed by

A Medical Practitioner(MP) registered with the Irish Medical Council, or

By a Registered General Nurse with the NMBI working for a MP registered with the Irish Medical Council

By a Chartered Physiotherapist registered with the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists

Otherwise you must wait 4months after the most recent treatments

Of note the condition for which you are being treated must also be acceptable in accordance with IBTS guidelines

Because you were born outside of Ireland and the UK, on your first attendance we will not collect a blood donation from you. We will ask you to complete a health and lifestyle questionnaire and assess your eligibility to donate. If you are eligible we will take some blood samples from you and you will be able to return to donate in 42 days.

• If you were born in Mexico, Central or South America you are not eligible to donate in Ireland due to a risk of Chagas disease

• If any of the risk factors listed below apply to you:

  • You lived at any time in any malarial endemic area for a continuous period of 6 months or more
  • You ever had malaria
  • You ever had an unexplained fever associated with any malarial endemic area

  Samples can be taken (but not a donation) to include a malaria antibody test:

  • If a minimum of 6 months have elapsed since you left any malaria area
  • You are fully recovered from malaria for at least 3 years (where applicable)
  • You are fully recovered from the unexplained fever for at least 6 months and it is 6 months since you left the malarial area

  You will be able to attend a clinic 42 days later if the malaria test is negative ( the IBTS will contact you if the  test result is positive) .Once all other criteria are met on future visits a test for malaria will be carried out in our labs every time you donate.

Travel outside of Ireland carries a risk of transmitting an illness such as Malaria, West Nile Virus, Zika Virus, and Dengue virus (among others) to sick patients.  

• Following return from a Malarial risk area where the duration of the stay was less than 6 months continuously ( i.e. holiday or business trip )  you cannot donate for 12 months ( 365 day) from the day you leave the area
• NB: If you meet the criteria for Malaria Antibody testing
  • Are a resident
  • Had malaria
  • Had an unexplained fever

        Following return from a malaria endemic area you can donate  6 months after you left the malarial area as you will have a malaria antibody test

• Following return from a tropical area, you cannot donate for 3 months ( 90 day) - from the day you leave the area
• Following return from a country or area that is not tropical and has no risk of Malaria you may need to wait for up to  28 days after return before donating  

For a list of countries and associated risks, click here.

Click on Malaria for more information 

Please contact us at 1800 731137 for further information.

If you lived at any time of your life in any malarial endemic area for a continuous period of 6 months or more you are considered to be a resident of a malarial area

Samples can be taken (but not a donation) to include a malaria antibody test:

• If a minimum of 6 months have elapsed since you left any malaria area

• You will be able to attend a clinic 42 days later if the malaria test is negative ( the IBTS will contact you if the  test result is positive) .Once all other criteria are met on future visits a test for malaria will be carried out in our labs every time you donate.

For more information click Malaria

See list of countries for Malaria risk areas.

You can give blood if your diabetes is well controlled through diet alone and if you have no complications from your diabetes such as eye disease, blood vessel related or kidney problems.

You cannot give blood if you require insulin injections to control your diabetes

You may be able to donate if you require oral hypoglycaemic tablets - Please contact us  on 1800 731 137 .

You cannot donate if you have ever had:                 

Angina

Angioplasty (with or without stents)

Atrial Fibrillation A-Fib

Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery i.e. Heart Bypass

Heart attack  (Myocardial Infarction)

Ischaemic Heart Disease  or Coronary Heart Disease

Stroke or TIA

You cannot donate if taking anti-coagulant treatment e.g. Warfarin or Xarelto or Plavix.

If you have any other cardiac queries please contact us on our Donor Infoline 1800 731 137

You cannot give blood if you have had cancer, even if the cancer has been treated and you are well at present.

There are exceptions:

Carcinoma in-situ and Rodent Ulcer (Basal Cell Carcinoma)

You can donate if you have been cured of a carcinoma in situ (CIS) and discharged from follow-up even if you received radiotherapy as part of the treatment. You can donate if you have been returned to routine screening following treatment for cervical CIS. 

If you had Cervical Carcinoma in-situ and you have completed successful treatment and have had one clear cervical smear thereafter, you can give blood if no further treatment is planned even if you go for regular cervical smears.

If you had Rodent Ulcer (Basal Cell Carcinoma) and you have completed successful treatment, you can give blood if no further treatment is planned.

You can give blood if you have mild hay fever or another mild allergy to a food or environmental substance, as long as you are fit and well on the day, even if you are taking anti-histamines or using intra-nasal steroids such as beclometasone (Beconase).

You can give blood if you are allergic to nickel.

You cannot give blood for one year after a reaction to a medicine/medication.

You cannot give blood if you have ever had anaphylaxis or if you carry adrenaline/epinephrine (Anapen or EpiPen) for self administration.

You cannot give blood if you have an acute allergic reaction at present, until your symptoms have settled and a further deferral period (weeks to months) may be necessary depending on the severity of the attack.

You cannot give blood if you have active symptoms.

Please call our Donor Infoline 1800 731 137 with any questions

You can give blood if you have mild asthma and require only occasional use of inhalers or if you are on a regular preventative treatment programme with inhalers and do not have active symptoms at present.

You cannot give blood for 7 days after taking oral steroid tablets or prescribed steroid injections.

You cannot give blood if you have active symptoms.

You cannot give blood if you have severe asthma.

You may be able to donate if you have received infertility treatment. Please call our Donor Infoline 1800 731 137 before attending a clinic to donate.

If you received a transfusion after 1st January 1980 you cannot donate blood. 

You can donate if you received a blood transfusion in the Republic of Ireland before 1st January 1980 (depending on the reason for the transfusion -  please check the FAQs or contact us on 1800 731 137 so that we can advise you). 

If you received  an autologous transfusion (your own blood) you can donate after 12 months

If you have hereditary haemochromatosis (HH) you may be eligible to donate. Click here for more information specific to your eligibility.

You cannot give blood if you have ever had syphilis or gonorrhoea.

You can give blood 4 months after complete recovery and conclusion of treatment for chlamydia and genital herpes.

You can give blood 2 weeks after complete recovery and conclusion of treatment of genital anal warts.

Contact us for all other STI's not listed.

All donors are tested for infections that can be passed on by blood transfusions. Recent infection may not always show up on testing in the early stages – i.e. in the ‘window period.’ This is why we must take great care in donor selection and why you must not give blood to see if you are infected. If you give blood to see if you are infected you are putting patients’ lives at risk.

If you have any reason to believe you may have acquired an infection through unprotected sex, you should not give blood. Safe sex practices are vital to the prevention of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. However, 'protected sex' is not 100% effective; therefore the following apply even if a condom or other form of protection was used.

You must NEVER give blood if:

You think you need a test for HIV or hepatitis.

You or your partner have HIV or HTLV.

You, your partner or close household contacts have hepatitis B or hepatitis C.

You have ever received money or drugs for sex.

You have ever injected, or have been injected with, non-prescribed drugs; even once or a long time ago. This includes body building drugs and injectable tanning agents.

You must NOT give blood for at least 4 months after you last had oral, vaginal or anal sex with:

anyone who has HIV, hepatitis B or C or HTLV.

anyone who has syphilis or any other sexually transmitted infection.

 anyone who had ever been given money or drugs for sex

 anyone who has ever injected or who has been injected with non-prescribed drugs, even once or a long time ago. This includes body building drugs and injectable tanning agents.

 All of the above apply even if a condom or other form of protection was used.

 

You must NOT give blood for at least 4 months after anal sex with:  

A new sexual partner * OR more than one sexual partner

*A new sexual partner is someone you have not had sex with before or a person with who you resumed a sexual relationship with in the past 4 months.

 

You must NOT donate for at least 4 months if:

You have taken medication to prevent HIV infection ( pre /post exposure prophylaxis , PrEP/ PEP)?

You have taken part in Chemsex i.e. have used drugs (other than cannabis, alcohol or Viagra) before or during sex to enhance sexual experience?

You must not give blood for at least 4 months if you have taken part in Chemsex.

Chemsex is a type of sexual activity where people take certain drugs (excluding alcohol, cannabis, Viagra and other medication for erectile dysfunction) to enhance their sexual experiences, and let them have sex for longer or with more people. Drugs associated with chemsex include methamphetamine, mephedrone and GBH.

If you injected or were injected with chemsex drugs you cannot donate.

Find more information here:

You must not give blood for at least 4 months if you have taken part in Chemsex.

 *Chemsex is a type of sexual activity where people take certain drugs (excluding alcohol, cannabis, Viagra and other medication for erectile dysfunction) to enhance their sexual experiences, and let them have sex for longer or with more people. Drugs associated with chemsex include methamphetamine, mephedrone and GBH.

If you injected or were injected with chemsex drugs you cannot donate.

Find more information here:

You must NEVER give blood if:

You think you need a test for HIV or hepatitis.

You or your partner have HIV or HTLV.

You, your partner or close household contacts have hepatitis B or hepatitis C.

You have ever received money or drugs for sex.

You have ever injected, or have been injected with, non-prescribed drugs; even once or a long time ago. This includes body building drugs and injectable tanning agents.

You must NOT give blood for at least 4 months after you last had oral, vaginal or anal sex with: 

anyone who has HIV, hepatitis B or C or HTLV.

anyone who has syphilis or any other sexually transmitted infection.

anyone who had ever been given money or drugs for sex

anyone who has ever injected or who has been injected with non-prescribed drugs, even once or a long time ago. This includes body building drugs and injectable tanning agents.

All of the above apply even if a condom or other form of protection was used.

You must not give blood for at least 4 months after anal sex with:  

A new sexual partner * OR more than one sexual partner

*A new sexual partner is someone you have not had sex with before or a person with who you resumed a sexual relationship with in the past 4 months.

You must NOT donate for at least 4 months if:

You have taken medication to prevent HIV infection ( pre /post exposure prophylaxis , PrEP/ PEP)?

You have taken part in Chemsex i.e. have used drugs (other than cannabis, alcohol or Viagra) before or during sex to enhance sexual experience?

You must not give blood for at least 4 months if you have taken part in Chemsex.

Chemsex is a type of sexual activity where people take certain drugs (excluding alcohol, cannabis, Viagra and other medication for erectile dysfunction) to enhance their sexual experiences, and let them have sex for longer or with more people. Drugs associated with chemsex include methamphetamine, mephedrone and GBH.

If you injected or were injected with chemsex drugs you cannot donate.

Find more information here:

You cannot give blood if you have Hepatitis

You can give blood 6 months after full recovery from Hepatitis E

You can give blood if you had Hepatitis A before you were 13 years old or 6 months after full recovery at any age

*This rule changed in 2002 when we introduced an additional test for hepatitis. Before that, many people who had hepatitis A as a child could not give blood

You can give blood if you had jaundice at any age if it was caused by gallstones/gallbladder (see the entry for surgery)

You can give blood if you had jaundice at any age caused by a medication that you were prescribed once you have made a full recovery and waited 12 months thereafter

You cannot give blood if you ever had Hepatitis B even if you no longer carry the virus

You cannot give blood if you have ever had Hepatitis C

You cannot give blood if your current sexual partner has Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C

*If your previous sexual partner has Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C, you must wait 4 months after your last sexual contact with him/her before you can give blood

*You cannot give blood if you live in the same house as a person who has Hepatitis B or C

*There may be exceptions, please phone our donor helpline with any other questions about 1800 731 137

Find more information here:

You cannot give blood if you have ever injected or been injected with drugs that were not prescribed by a registered medical practitioner, even once or a long time ago.

This includes body-building drugs & injectable tanning agents.

You cannot give blood for 4 months if you have snorted cocaine or any other drug.

You cannot give blood for 14 days if you have taken ecstasy.

You cannot give blood if you are under the influence of any recreational drug.

The Irish Blood Transfusion Service values the privacy of donors. All interviews are conducted in private and donor confidentiality is always maintained.

You must NEVER give blood if:

You think you need a test for HIV or hepatitis.

You or your partner have HIV or HTLV.

You, your partner or close household contacts have hepatitis B or hepatitis C.

You have ever received money or drugs for sex.

You have ever injected, or have been injected with, non-prescribed drugs; even once or a long time ago. This includes body building drugs and injectable tanning agents.

You must NOT give blood for at least 4 months after you last had oral, vaginal or anal sex with: 

anyone who has HIV, hepatitis B or C or HTLV.

anyone who has syphilis or any other sexually transmitted infection.

anyone who had ever been given money or drugs for sex

anyone who has ever injected or who has been injected with non-prescribed drugs, even once or a long time ago. This includes body building drugs and injectable tanning agents.

All of the above apply even if a condom or other form of protection was used.

You must not give blood for at least 4 months after anal sex with:  

 A new sexual partner * OR more than one sexual partner

*A new sexual partner is someone you have not had sex with before or a person with who you resumed a sexual relationship with in the past 4 months.

You must NOT donate for at least 4 months if:

You have taken medication to prevent HIV infection ( pre /post exposure prophylaxis , PrEP/ PEP)?

You have taken part in Chemsex i.e. have used drugs (other than cannabis, alcohol or Viagra) before or during sex to enhance sexual experience?

You must not give blood for at least 4 months if you have taken part in Chemsex.

Chemsex is a type of sexual activity where people take certain drugs (excluding alcohol, cannabis, Viagra and other medication for erectile dysfunction) to enhance their sexual experiences, and let them have sex for longer or with more people. Drugs associated with chemsex include methamphetamine, mephedrone and GBH.

If you injected or were injected with chemsex drugs you cannot donate.

If you have any other question concerning drugs, please call our Donor Infoline 1800 731 137.

Find more information here:

You cannot give blood if you have ever received money or drugs for sex.

If you have any reason to believe you may have acquired an infection through unprotected sex, you should not give blood. Safe sex practices are vital to the prevention of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. However, 'protected sex' is not 100% effective; therefore the following apply even if a condom or other form of protection was used.

You must NEVER give blood if:

You think you need a test for HIV or hepatitis.

You or your partner have HIV or HTLV.

You, your partner or close household contacts have hepatitis B or hepatitis C.

You have ever received money or drugs for sex.

You have ever injected, or have been injected with, non-prescribed drugs; even once or a long time ago. This includes body building drugs and injectable tanning agents.

You must NOT give blood for at least 4 months after you last had oral, vaginal or anal sex with: 

anyone who has HIV, hepatitis B or C or HTLV.

anyone who has syphilis or any other sexually transmitted infection.

anyone who had ever been given money or drugs for sex

anyone who has ever injected or who has been injected with non-prescribed drugs, even once or a long time ago. This includes body building drugs and injectable tanning agents.

 All of the above apply even if a condom or other form of protection was used.

You must not give blood for at least 4 months after anal sex with:  

A new sexual partner * OR more than one sexual partner

*A new sexual partner is someone you have not had sex with before or a person with who you resumed a sexual relationship with in the past 4 months.

You must NOT donate for at least 4 months if:

You have taken medication to prevent HIV infection ( pre /post exposure prophylaxis , PrEP/ PEP)?

You have taken part in Chemsex i.e. have used drugs (other than cannabis, alcohol or Viagra) before or during sex to enhance sexual experience?

You must not give blood for at least 4 months if you have taken part in Chemsex.

Chemsex is a type of sexual activity where people take certain drugs (excluding alcohol, cannabis, Viagra and other medication for erectile dysfunction) to enhance their sexual experiences, and let them have sex for longer or with more people. Drugs associated with chemsex include methamphetamine, mephedrone and GBH.

If you injected or were injected with chemsex drugs you cannot donate.

Find more information here:

You must NOT donate for at least 4 months after anal sex with a new sexual partner * OR more than one sexual partner

*A new sexual partner is someone you have not had sex with before or a person with who you resumed a sexual relationship with in the past 4 months.

Find more information here:

You must NOT donate for at least 4 months if:

You have taken medication to prevent HIV infection (pre /post exposure prophylaxis , PrEP/ PEP)?

You have taken part in Chemsex i.e. have used drugs (other than cannabis, alcohol or Viagra) before or during sex to enhance sexual experience?

 *There are exceptions so please speak to a nurse.

Find more information here: