Pádraig Rice (Cork South-Central, Social Democrats)
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647. To ask the Minister for Health to outline her plans in respect of the Programme for Government commitment to “ensure a transgender healthcare service that is based on clinical evidence, respect, inclusiveness and compassion”; the status of the development of a new model of care for transgender services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4372/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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A new clinical programme for gender healthcare has been initiated by the HSE, and over the next two years an updated clinical model for gender healthcare services will be developed. This work will inform an implementation plan for its delivery.

The model of care will be developed in a consultative way, engaging with stakeholders, healthcare professionals working in gender healthcare, those that use and receive support from the service and their families. The initial work will involve carrying out an evidence-based review of current research. Emerging and evolving international evidence, including evidence on the use of puberty blockers and reports such as the Cass report from the UK, will be reviewed as part of this work.

The outcome of this important work will be informed and guided by the needs of people living in Ireland. As the work will be led by best evidence, guidance will also change and evolve over the coming years, as the evidence base develops.

Developing a Model of Care for Gender Healthcare Services is expected to be a complex process and the HSE and my department will work closely together to support the process, ensure transparency and keep the patient at the centre of the process.

It is important that the HSE is given time to develop a model of care that is based on the best clinical evidence and that will deliver the best outcomes for persons with gender incongruence or dysphoria. I am committed, along with the HSE, to building a service in Ireland for the Irish population that is based on experience and clinical evidence, respect, inclusiveness and compassion.