Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour) | Oireachtas source

In terms of the appointment of the HSE clinical lead, while the groups are obviously aware that they have no formal role in such an appointment, given that this is a small and vulnerable group of people, they feel that engagement regarding that role or position would be important. This community has insights in terms of who provides the specialist care and who would give confidence in the provision of the care that is needed. The National Gender Service, NGS, at the moment is not national. It does not reach many corners of the country at all and is not operating as a gender service in the context of healthcare in any way, shape or form. The Minister has acknowledged that an awful lot more work needs to be done. Trans Healthcare Action and TENI believe they need more engagement and I also believe they do and that such engagement has to be ongoing. They do not feel they are getting the engagement they need. We really need to see that to provide confidence to these groups and to this community that they are being listened to and being heard.

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