Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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161. To ask the Minister for Health the improvements that his Department is making in the area of healthcare for transgender persons; his views on the current waiting time of over two and a half years to be first seen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21450/22]

Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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The Programme for Government commits to create and implement a general health policy for Trans people, based on a best-practice model for care, in line with the World Professional Association of Transgender Healthcare (WPATH) and deliver a framework for the development of national gender clinics and multidisciplinary teams for children and adults.

The HSE is committed to developing services for the transgender community in accordance with international best practice across a number of programmes including mental health, acute hospitals and primary care. This includes a robust and agreed care pathway for young people with gender dysphoria, in line with international best practice.

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.

While there are definite challenges in responding to the needs of this population, there have been many positive developments: -

- embedded clinical services, with expertise, in certain parts of the country,

- constructive advocacy groups in place with both individual and family experience of this issue,

- funding for a number of posts exists, and

- a proposed model of care in place .

The challenges mainly centre around operational and governance issues which reflect the fact that the Irish health services are delivered by a range of voluntary and statutory services and have grown up along with demand and clinician-led responses.

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