Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party)
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123. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the position regarding the gender recognition certificate; if there is a timeframe for when persons aged 16 years of age and above can obtain the certificate with family support without requiring a reference from a general practitioner and a consultant psychiatrist; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59192/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Programme for Government contains a number of actions with respect to gender recognition.  My Department is engaged in progressing these actions.  These follow recommendations contained in the Report of the Review Group for the Gender Recognition Act, which was completed in July 2018. The previous Government signalled its intention to legislate to give effect to the recommendations of the Review Group, including those relating to children.

Given the complexity of some of the issues under consideration and that any legislative changes will need  to be introduced in a sustainable and sensitive manner,  I am not in a position to commit to a legislative timeframe until work in relation to the recommendations made by the Review Group is sufficiently complete.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy at this time.