Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I am delighted to welcome our guests and to thank them for their presentation. To be honest, it is not a subject about which I am well informed. As other members have stated, we are lucky that various groups appear before the committee and give us the information that we need. Since many of the questions that I was going to ask have been covered, I may make a few points instead of asking questions.

The suicide statistics are frightening. I cannot believe that 40% have attempted suicide and that 78% have had suicidal tendencies. This was an eye-opener. I have never given much thought to when children identify. The two to five years age group was mentioned. I am shocked. I would have expected it to be in the teens. A point was made about what families must deal with, including trying to keep their children alive until they reach 16 years of age. This is new and frightening information to me.

I noticed that 74% would like to be trained. Are there plans to roll this out? It was mentioned that the cost was covered for public patients, but who covers the cost to those who do not have medical cards? Perhaps I missed it.

Transphobia remains a serious issue. Will our guests outline how they challenge it, seek to reduce it and, hopefully, eliminate it in their work?

It was stated that, as hormone treatment had presented positive outcomes, an increased availability would be welcome. Are there plans to increase its provision?