Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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359. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 190 of 6 December 2023, if he is aware of a statement by an organisation (details supplied) on the appointment of a Clinical Lead for Transgender Services; and if he will agree to meet with transgender community groups to discuss the lack of engagement with them to date. [4703/24]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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My department is committed to the development by the HSE of a well-governed and patient-centered health care service for adults and children in the transgender community.

The HSE is establishing a team to lead the development of an updated and integrated model of care for transgender services in Ireland, informed by the best evidence-based clinical care for individuals who express gender incongruence or dysphoria. The position of Clinical Lead for Transgender Services has been offered to an applicant, however, the independent recruitment process is currently ongoing and as such it would not be appropriate for me to comment further on that process.

When the team is established, the HSE will consult with a wide range of stakeholders in the development of transgender healthcare and the new model of care, including those who use the services and advocacy groups.

I welcome the development of a model of care which will deliver a high quality, seamless and integrated service for people with gender identity issues, in line with the Programme for Government.

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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360. To ask the Minister for Health the reason in his comments on the appointment of a Clinical Lead for Transgender Services (details supplied) he portrayed the disagreement on trans youth healthcare as one between two clinical teams without any reference to the trans community themselves; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4705/24]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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My department is committed to the development by the HSE of a well-governed and patient-centered health care service for adults and children in the transgender community.

The HSE is establishing a team to lead the development of an updated and integrated Model of Care for transgender services in Ireland, informed by the best evidence-based clinical care for individuals who express gender incongruence or dysphoria. The position of Clinical Lead for Transgender Services has been offered to an applicant.

The HSE will consult with a wide range of stakeholders in the development of transgender healthcare and the new model of care, including those who use the services and advocacy groups.

I welcome the development of a model of care which will deliver a high quality seamless and integrated service for people with gender identity issues, in line with the Programme for Government.

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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361. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the National Gender Service’s complaint to HIQA made late in 2023; and the resolution they are hoping for. [4706/24]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) is an independent authority that exists to improve health and social care services for the people of Ireland. HIQA monitor healthcare services provided or funded by the Health Service Executive (HSE). As an independent organisation, the Authority is committed to an open and transparent relationship with its stakeholders. It’s independence within the health system is key and central to being successful in undertaking it’s functions. As such, it would not be appropriate to discuss a lodged complaint.

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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362. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 189 of 6 December 2023, to confirm that for transgender adults that treatment decisions are clinical matters between the patient and their choice of clinician. [4707/24]

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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363. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 190 of 6 December 2023, what evidence base backs the necessity of a comprehensive holistic multidisciplinary assessment prior to hormone therapy. [4708/24]

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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364. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 190 of 6 December 2023, whether the National Gender Service believes that providing transgender care virtually is unsafe; and if so, on what basis. [4709/24]

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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366. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 190 of 6 December 2023, if hormone concentrations are unrelated to risk the reason the National Gender Service’s recommendations for endocrine care consider higher than recommended testosterone concentrations an elevated risk for thromboembolic and liver disease. [4711/24]

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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367. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 190 of 6 December 2023, what are the benefits of monitoring hormone concentrations. [4712/24]

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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368. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 190 of 6 December 2023, if the National Gender Service only provides solicited advice in relation to the provision of transgender healthcare by other services. [4713/24]

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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369. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 190 of 6 December 2023, what evidence base supports the claim that the most common complications of medical transition are decline in social and-or occupational function, and deterioration of mental health. [4714/24]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 362 to 364, inclusive, and 366 to 369, inclusive, together.

As this is a service matter I have referred the question to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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365. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 190 of 6 December 2023, if he is aware as outlined in a recent article (details supplied) that EU telehealth services are not in contravention of medical council guidelines; and what steps will be taken to ensure that GPs that the National Gender Service have previously contacted will have the correct information. [4710/24]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Telehealth services are an emerging feature of the health landscape offering a number of benefits and efficiencies. However, as with all clinical services, appropriate clinical oversight and governance needs to be in place to protect the patient at all times.

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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370. To ask the Minister for Health what services the National Gender Service provides to patients during the assessment process. [4715/24]

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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371. To ask the Minister for Health how many people have died by suicide while on the waiting list for an initial assessment by the National Gender Service. [4716/24]

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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372. To ask the Minister for Health under what circumstances the National Gender Service considers it appropriate to stop providing hormones to a transgender person without their consent. [4717/24]

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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373. To ask the Minister for Health if the National Gender Service turns away patients for being unemployed. [4718/24]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 370 to 373, inclusive, together.

As this is a service matter I have referred the question to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.