Transgender healthcare and gender recognition
Deputy McDonald criticised the state of transgender healthcare and noted the awaited Gender Recognition Act review. The Taoiseach said the review was complete, would go to Cabinet, and that the Health Minister would meet transgender representatives within weeks.
The "This is Me" campaign held a rally on Saturday last. This campaign is part of a grassroots campaign to improve transgender healthcare in Ireland. While progress has been made globally in this area, in this State the treatment of trans and non-binary communities leaves a lot to be desired and the current healthcare system is not fit for purpose and is letting citizens down.
It is my understanding that the Gender Recognition Act has been reviewed and that the report is due to be published soon. While the indications are that the review calls for extended gender recognition for trans youth and non-binary persons, which is positive, we will be in a space that the law recognises and embraces our LGBTQ+ identities but our healthcare system does not. Despite the Government claiming otherwise, our healthcare system does not comply with World Professional Association of Transgender Health, WPATH, or World Health Organization, WHO, standards. Will the Taoiseach commit to achieving this adherence to international standards in the provision of healthcare following the Gender Recognition Act review?
Comment on this
On the legislative matter, the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection, Deputy Regina Doherty, has informed me that the review is complete. I have not seen it yet but the Minister intends to bring it to Cabinet this month. We will publish it subject to approval from the Cabinet.
On the matter of health services for transgender citizens, I spoke to the Minister for Health, Deputy Harris, about this issue during the week and he proposes to meet representatives of the transgender community over the next six to eight weeks to discuss how we can make further progress in this area.