Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 March 2022
313. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will report on his Department’s efforts to support the transgender community in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15592/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn line with the commitments in the National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy 2019 - 2022, my Department continues work on mapping of LGBTI+ community services. In November 2021, 42 projects received funding to a total amount of €1.5 million under the 2021 LGBTI+ Communities Services Fund.
The fund comprises two schemes – one dealing with community services, and the other with visibility and inclusion.
This fund provides for initiatives that will promote inclusion, protect rights and improve quality of life and wellbeing for members of the LGBTI+ community, enabling them to participate fully in Ireland's social, economic, cultural, and political life. We are seeking to achieve tangible outcomes that will transform the lives of LGBTI+ people across Ireland and the Community Services Fund is designed specifically with these aims in mind. Several projects aimed at supporting the transgender community have been awarded funding under this scheme. These include a trans-inclusive project from the National Women’s Council, (€8,496) a monthly adult Trans Midlands Peer Support Group provided by Laois Youth Services, (€46,475) and an outreach initiative by Gay Project for trans men who experience intersectionality and multiple forms of discrimination and marginalisation in the Munster region (€73,100).
The LGBTI+ Community Services Fund for 2022 will be announced in the coming months.
As the Deputy may be aware, I have also launched a review of the equality legislation, the public consultation of which has now been completed. One of the objectives of the review is to examine how protections can be strengthened in relation to gender identity.
