Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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1795. To ask the Minister for Health if he will seek to reinstate the under 18 years of age clinic in the National Gender Service which closed earlier this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1847/22]

Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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The HSE is committed to building services for the transgender community, in accordance with international best practice, across a number of programmes including mental health, acute hospitals, primary care and social inclusion.  I am advised that a proposed model of care for transgender children, adolescents and adults has been developed by the HSE Quality Improvement Division. The model recommends a comprehensive multidisciplinary psychosocial assessment prior to commencement of hormone therapy by endocrinology services, and also outlines the framework for the development of National Gender Clinics and MDTs for children and adults.

The HSE established a Steering Committee to address specific issues in relation to the development of Transgender Identity Services. The final report of the Committee was published in December 2020.  The HSE has commenced implementation of a number of its recommendations.

HSE Mental Health have been working closely with Children Hospital Ireland, the National Gender Service, the Treatment Abroad Scheme and Tavistock to try to establish a child and adolescent transgender service in Ireland following repeated failed attempts to recruit a Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist to develop the service.

I am advised by the HSE that the National Gender Service currently accepts referrals from 16 and 17 year olds.  I understand that the role of Locum Consultant Paediatric Endocrinologist at Children’s Health Ireland at Crumlin has been advertised and it is hoped for the role to be filled early this year. 

Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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1796. To ask the Minister for Health if he will allocate additional resources to transgender healthcare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1848/22]

Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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In Budget 2022, I secured an additional €6m for new measures to support the implementation of the national drugs strategy, 'Reducing Harm Supporting Recovery'. This funding will be used to strengthen the health-led approach to drug and alcohol use, as set out in the Programme for Government. It will also support the strategic priorities for 2021-2025 identified in the mid-term review of the national drugs strategy. The funding will be used to recruit 50 health care professionals, such as clinical nurse specialists, psychologists, addiction counsellors and project workers, to provide specialist drug and alcohol services.

I do not have a remit in the provision of funding for transgender services. This falls within the wider remit of the Minister of Health.