Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 May 2021
445. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the details of his work on the proposal to ban conversion therapy; if there is a timeline in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23191/21]
View answerThe Programme for Government contains a commitment to legislate to end the practice of conversion therapy, a commitment I strongly support. The LGBTI+ National Youth Strategy 2018 – 2020 contains a commitment to prohibit the promotion or practice of conversion therapy by health professionals in Ireland. The National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy 2019-2022 commits to ensuring that the practice of conversion therapy in Ireland is investigated and followed up with appropriate counter measures.
My Department has prepared an initial scoping paper on this issue. A research subgroup of the Inclusion Strategy is being established and will consider what further research is required in this area before legislative proposal can be brought forward by the Department of Health. I will engage on these proposals in the first instance with the LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy Committee.
