Written answers
Wednesday, 20 March 2024
Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
Gender Recognition
Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
1100. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide an update on the proposed bill to ban conversion therapy; to the estimated date of publication; and whether it is his intention to pass the bill within this Government's term of office. [11734/24]
Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
1101. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if there will be any exemptions under the proposed Bill to ban conversion therapy; and if so, the justifications for these exemptions. [11735/24]
Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1101 and 1100 together.
I propose to take PQs 11734/24 and 11735/24 from the Deputy together.
The Programme for Government contains a commitment to legislate to ban conversion therapy. The National LGBTI Youth Strategy 2018 – 2020 and the National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy 2019 – 2021 also contain commitments in relation to conversion therapy.
Given the complex and sensitive nature of the proposed legislation, my Department is carefully considering the key policy principles that will underpin the legislation to ensure that individuals are protected from harmful conversion practices while the necessary and appropriate services for those with concerns in areas of sexual orientation and gender identity are not affected.
Intensive work on drafting the General Scheme is ongoing and officials continue to engage with the Office of the Attorney General on the matter. As the particulars of the General Scheme are not yet finalised, I am not in a position to comment on its details including in relation to exemptions. It is planned that legislative proposals will be brought forward shortly.
Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
1102. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if it is his intention to provide a legal basis for nonbinary gender recognition; and if so, to provide an update on work carried out within his Department to date on the matter. [11736/24]
Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
The Programme for Government – Our Shared Future - contains a commitment to complete the work of the interdepartmental group tasked with examining legal recognition of non-binary people. This is in line with the report by the Review Group on the Review of the Gender Recognition Act 2015 submitted to the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection in 2018 and the subsequent Report to the Oireachtas under Section 7 of the Act, issued by that Department in 2019.
The Department of Social Protection holds policy responsibility for the Gender Recognition Act 2015. Issues relating to the legal basis for gender recognition should be directed to that Department.
Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
1103. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth whether he or his Department have engaged with representatives from trans organisations in relation to concerns about the national gender service and the formulation of a new model of care; if so, to provide a list of organisations they have engaged with; and if not, whether he will commit to doing so. [11742/24]
Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
As Minister with responsibility for equality, I recognise the importance of engaging with civil society groups on issues affecting their lives, including those representing LGBTI+ people, and I continue to do so. As Minister with oversight responsibility for the National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy, I chair the meetings of the National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy Steering Committee. The Steering Committee comprises representatives from key government departments and public bodies along with NGOs, particularly those representing LGBTI+ people.
Issues in relation to the provision of healthcare for trans people have been discussed at Steering Committee meetings. Meeting minutes, including meeting participants are published online. (gov - LGBTI+ National Inclusion Strategy Committee (www.gov.ie)).
Matters in relation to the National Gender Service and a new model of care fall under the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Health.
No comments