Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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1709. To ask the Minister for Health the measures being put in place for the healthcare of transgender young persons in Ireland given the exit of the UK based clinic (details supplied) from Crumlin Children’s hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18746/21]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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1714. To ask the Minister for Health the work that has been undertaken with parents and young person's seeking to access healthcare outside the State under the provisions of the cross-border directive and treatment abroad scheme to ensure the available options for access to care are communicated effectively in line with objective 13 of the LGBTI+ National Youth Strategy improve the physical and mental health of transgender young people; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18751/21]

Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1709 and 1714 together.

The UK service to which the Deputy refers operated under the HSE Treatment Abroad Scheme. The clinic suspended this service and so referrals are no longer continuing to the UK via this service.

The HSE is working on the further development of multidisciplinary gender care delivery in Ireland, both in services for Children & Adolescents and for Adults. The National Gender Service has submitted business cases for additional staff to begin addressing the waiting list and allow the NGS to offer a more diverse range of supports and interventions.

The HSE are also working on the establishment of a Child & Adolescent service in Ireland including the recruitment of a Consultant Psychiatrist with a special interest in Gender Identity as part of the model of care. Children’s Hospital Ireland are progressing the advertisement of the vacant Consultant Paediatric Endocrinologist who will be part of the Team, and it is understood that the process is at interview stage. In addition, the post of CAMHS Consultant with a special interest in gender identity is currently with Public Appointment Service for advertising.

There has been ongoing engagement by the National Clinical Advisor & Group Lead for Mental Health with the National Gender Service regarding the development of a seamless interface and integrated service. The need for clear transition pathways from child to adult services was a consideration in the development of the CAMHS Consultant job specification.

The Department of Health is committed to the development by the HSE of a well-governed, patient-centred health care service for adults and children in the transgender community, in line with the Programme for Government.