Marie Sherlock (Dublin Central, Labour)

There is much to be proud of and celebrate in the ten years since the passing of the marriage equality referendum and the Gender Recognition Act 2015, but it is incumbent on us to call out and name the lived reality of so many of our friends in the LGBTQ+ community. It is terrifying to see the very real mental health crisis happening at the moment. My colleagues and others referred to the research by Belong To and Trinity College Dublin, which refers to figures as high as 75% of 19-to-25-year-olds reporting suicidal thoughts. That is terrifying. The figures are even higher for those in the trans community. That is why the Labour Party felt so strongly today about tabling a motion on the Order Paper to call for a number of specific and clear actions: to replace the National Gender Service; and to establish a national clinical programme for trans healthcare in Ireland, ensuring a key role for GPs and a major recruitment of the specialists required for gender-affirming care. There are hundreds of people throughout this country being failed day in, day out because of the lack of GPs who want to recognise, work and support young people who are trans and want that gender-affirming healthcare. We also need a clear and unequivocal ban on conversion therapies. We need to ensure there is clear guidance for transgender healthcare for under-18s. We need to implement the recommendations of the 2018 Government review of the Gender Recognition Act.

There are critical needs but two key actions can be taken now by the Minister of State in particular. First, there is one part-time counsellor in the whole country for the LGBTQ+ community. That number needs to be increased. Second, an organisation, Outhouse LGBTQ+ Centre, in my own constituency provides services to between 4,000 and 5,000 every year. Its funding will be in danger at the end of this year. We need to make sure it is supported to continue its excellent work for people in Dublin and across the State.

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