Paul Murphy
Question:1148. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on progress regarding the legal recognition of non-binary persons. [19221/21]
View answerWednesday, 21 April 2021
Questions (1148)
Written answers
The Review Group for the Gender Recognition Act recommended extending legal gender recognition to non-binary people, while also recognising the complexity of the issue and acknowledging that a comprehensive impact analysis may be required. An interdepartmental group is being established to carry out this impact assessment and submit a report to Government for consideration.
Preliminary work has commenced in relation to the inter-departmental group; however, the ongoing devotion of resources within the Department to the public health crisis and associated matters has meant that it has not yet been possible to further progress this work. The matter will be kept under review and remains as part of the Programme for Government.
In the meantime, Government Departments and other public bodies will take positive steps to improve the position of non-binary people. This could include measures such as:
- promoting the use and acceptance of correct pronouns.
- improving the design of official forms and documentation to permit the use of a third gender option, or no gender at all, where it is possible to do so.
Questions Nos. 1149 and 1150 answered with Question No. 1140.