Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Doherty for raising the issue. The National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy 2019-2021 sets out Government policy for promoting inclusion, targeting discrimination, and improving the quality of life and well-being for the LGBTI+ community in Ireland. It is supported by the LGBTI+ National Youth Strategy 2018-2020.

The strategy commits to ensuring that people can fully and equally avail of mainstream health services. In addition, the strategy recognises that targeted services are needed to support transgender people, including through the process of transition.

In line with international trends, the demand for transgender services in Ireland has increased exponentially over recent years. Prevalence studies suggest an increase in those experiencing gender dysphoria. In 1997 the World Health Organization reported a prevalence of 1:60,000 and in 2013, the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistics Manual of Mental Disorders reported a prevalence of 1:20,000.

Services for transgender care have evolved organically over recent years, with adult services based in St. Columcille's Hospital, which is part of Ireland East Hospital Group, and children's services located in Our Lady's Children's Hospital, which is part of Children's Health Ireland. Endocrinology and psychological support services are delivered on both sites.

A model of care was developed to support the development of HSE gender identity services. The model of care was supported by the allocation of additional resources to enhance services. Recognising the need to develop gender identity services and to best use the additional funding, in May 2019 the HSE established a steering committee chaired by the national clinical lead in mental health, Dr. Siobhán Ní Bhriain, as the Senator outlined. The committee had the specific purpose to develop a seamless and integrated service for those people who present to the health service with gender identity issues. The committee brought together the various HSE transgender services, along with service users, as represented by Transgender Equality Network Ireland and ThisIsMe.

The committee concluded its work in January 2020 and issued its final report in February 2020. I recently had the opportunity to read the report. The report details the two outcomes achieved by the steering group, namely, the development of a job description for a consultant psychiatrist in child and adolescent psychiatry post to develop the transgender identity services for those aged under 18; and support for a governance committee across the Ireland East Hospital Group and Children's Health Ireland to ensure ongoing review of the national gender service as it develops.

The report notes the development of a strong sense of collegiality among the committee members and the commitment of all to develop a well-governed service for the transgender patient group. The report makes seven recommendations to enhance the model of care for the transgender community, all of which fall under the remit of the HSE. One of the recommendations is to develop a service users' forum within the national gender service. Most of the report's recommendations are in progress or ongoing.

I note the Senator's concerns about trying to get a meeting with the Minister and the Department. I will also bring those concerns back.