Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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359. To ask the Minister for Health the actions being taken on foot of the World Health Organisation declaration that transgender identities are no longer and can no longer be classified or considered to be a mental health or behavioural disorder; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29186/18]

Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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On the 18 June 2018, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued an updated international classification of diseases, ICD-11. In this new classification, "gender incongruence" is now categorised under conditions related to sexual health, instead of mental, behavioural or neurodevelopmental disorders.

WHO said gender incongruence "is characterized by a marked and persistent incongruence between an individual's experienced gender and the assigned sex". The rationale for the new classification is that while evidence is now clear that it is not a mental disorder, and indeed classifying it in this can cause enormous stigma for people who are transgender, there remain significant health care needs that can best be met if the condition is coded under the ICD.

It is anticipated that the ICD-11 will be presented to the World Health Assembly, in 2019, for adoption by countries. It will come into effect in 2022. The advance preview will allow countries to plan how to use the new version and to train health professionals

The Department's National Sexual Health Strategy 2015-2020, developed under Healthy Ireland, is a strategic framework for the sexual health and wellbeing of the Irish population. The vision is that everyone experiences positive sexual health and wellbeing, and has access to high quality sexual health information, education and services. The strategy takes a life course approach to sexual health which acknowledges the importance of developing healthy sexuality throughout childhood and adolescence and builds on that foundation for positive sexual health and wellbeing into adulthood and older age. The three goals key goals of the strategy are:

- To ensure that everyone has access to appropriate sexual health education and information;

- To ensure that high quality sexual health services are available and affordable;

- Ensure that good quality data is available to guide the service.

I welcome this new classification of transgender as a sexual health condition as one that can best meet the health care needs of transgender people.

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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360. To ask the Minister for Health if he will meet a group (details supplied) regarding the implementation of guidelines on the standards of care for transgender persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29187/18]

Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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Transgender-specific guidelines have been developed by WPATH (World Professional Association for Transgender Health) and the Endocrine Society (who updated their guidelines in 2017) and were devised by experts in transgender healthcare, along with members of the International Transgender, Transsexual and LGBT community, and supported by the Transgender Equality Network of Ireland (TENI). A comprehensive multidisciplinary psychosocial assessment is recommended prior to hormone therapy by Endocrinology services.

Ireland has adapted these guidelines for local implementation. Clinical services to specific patient groups are a matter for the patient and their clinical team. It would be inappropriate for the Minister to meet any group to discuss clinical issues.