Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 September 2022
2006. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the establishment of an Irish gender identity health service for children and young persons; the number of posts that will allocated to this service, by role; the status of the recruitment campaign; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44065/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe report of the steering committee on the development of HSE transgender services was published in 2020. The report acknowledged the additional funding made available to develop services in recent years. It advised on the development of seamless interfaces between agencies providing gender services and developed a job description for a consultant psychiatrist in child and adolescent psychiatry to lead on the development of a services for those aged under 18 years. Subsequently, this position was advertised twice but has not yet been filled.
Minister Donnelly and Minister Butler recently held a constructive meeting with a number of clinicians from the National Gender Service. They intend to meet with the HSE and other stakeholders to hear their views and proposals.
Minister Donnelly, Minister Butler and I are committed to working with the HSE to provide a gender identify service that meets the health needs of children and young people.
