Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 November 2021
125. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider amending the Gender Recognition Act 2015 to include the option of identifying as male, female or non-binary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57884/21]
View answerThe Programme for Government contains a number of actions with respect to gender recognition. My Department is engaged in progressing these actions. The initial focus is on progressing measures to give effect to the recommendation of the Review Group on Gender Recognition, specifically measures to improve access to gender recognition for a person aged 16 and 17 years. Additionally, work is ongoing across Government Department and public bodies on evaluating the impact of changes required to ensure recognition of non-binary people. To this end, all Departments and public bodies have been asked to progress positive actions to give effect to:
- 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.
The Deputy will appreciate that some of the work being undertaken may result in proposals to amend the Gender Recognition Act 2015 which will be considered by Government in due course.
I hope this addresses the Deputy's question.
