Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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1303. To ask the Minister for Health if she is aware that blood donors are being asked if they are still the same sex that was assigned at birth; if she is aware that some donors are refusing to answer this question that has no basis in science and are then not being allowed to donate blood; if she has carried out any research as to the number of people refusing to answer this ideological question; and if she has carried out any research to ascertain the extent of the loss in the volume in blood being donated as a result of same.; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48708/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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The Irish Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS) welcomes potential donors, including transgender and non-binary donors. All donors are entitled to self-identify their gender as per the Gender Recognition Act 2015. However, there are a number of considerations in relation to these donors which may impact on their eligibility to donate. These are explained in the transgender and non-binary donors information leaflet available on the IBTS website.

All donors are currently asked the following question on its Donor Health and Lifestyle Questionnaire: Is your current gender different from that assigned to you at birth?

It is essential for the safety of transgender donors and the safety of the blood supply that these donors are identified prior to donation; the only way to reliably do so is to ask a direct question of all blood donors. Donors’ haemoglobin levels and blood volume levels differ depending on their gender; therefore, transgender donors must be identified so that an appropriate assessment is made of these levels and their eligibility to donate is determined accordingly.

Certain blood components such as blood for intrauterine transfusion are only made from donations taken from cis-gender male donors, as female donors who have had a pregnancy may have antibodies in their blood that could cause potential harm to the foetus. A transgender male donor may have been pregnant prior to transitioning, therefore this must be established, so that the donation is not used for intrauterine transfusion.

In the last 5 years the IBTS has written to 41 donors who have complained about the above question. Some of these donors have continued to donate, after receiving the above explanation.