Pádraig Rice (Cork South-Central, Social Democrats)
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609. To ask the Minister for Health if the costing provided for in a document included hormone replacement therapy prescribed to transgender women (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49826/25]

Pádraig Rice (Cork South-Central, Social Democrats)
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611. To ask the Minister for Health her views on the apparently contradictory information produced by her Department in advance of the free hormone replacement therapy (HRT) scheme (details supplied); if pharmacists are expected to provide any clinical information to the HSE on patients availing of the scheme; if patients are required to provide any clinical information to pharmacists to avail of the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49829/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 609 and 611 together.

Under the Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) measure, which came into effect on 1 June 2025, where a woman has been prescribed HRT by her healthcare provider for the purpose of alleviating the symptoms associated with all stages of menopause, the cost of the HRT medications or products, and the pharmacy dispensing fees will be met by the State.

This measure is intended to support the management of the symptoms of menopause and, therefore, relates to the provision of treatment for the symptoms a specific medical condition/life stage i.e. menopause. HRT is the most commonly used treatment for managing symptoms of menopause and has shown to be the most effective intervention.

Menopause has been highlighted as a key priority area by the Women’s Health Taskforce. It is a key action in the Women’s Health Action Plans. A number of measures have been implemented in recent years to improve the experience of menopause for women in Ireland, including this HRT arrangement.

I am aware that HRT is used in the treatment of other medical conditions/circumstances, including gender-affirming healthcare, hypogonadism, IVF, and some cancer treatments. However, the current provision of the Free HRT Arrangement, legislated for under the Health Insurance (Amendment) and Health (Provision of Menopause Products) Act 2024, limits eligibility to those whose healthcare provider has prescribed HRT to alleviate the symptoms of menopause.

The costing alluded to was based on this eligibility. Reimbursable claims under the HRT measure are based on prescriptions which are transmitted to the pharmacist.

I am aware of the concerns raised regarding care for transgender individuals. As per the Programme for Government 2025, this Government is committed to ensuring a transgender healthcare service that is based on clinical evidence, respect, inclusiveness, and compassion.

A new clinical programme for gender healthcare has been initiated by the HSE and an updated clinical model for gender healthcare services is being developed. This work will inform an implementation plan for its delivery.

Developing a Model of Care for Gender Healthcare Services is expected to be a complex process. As such, the HSE and officials in 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 person with gender incongruence or dysphoria.

Pádraig Rice (Cork South-Central, Social Democrats)
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610. To ask the Minister for Health if a women prescribed hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for the treatment of a condition can avail of the free HRT scheme (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49827/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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Under the HRT measure, which came into effect on 1 June 2025, where a woman has been prescribed a Hormone Replacement Therapy product by her healthcare provider for the purpose of alleviating the symptoms associated with all stages of menopause, the cost of the HRT medications or products, and the dispensing fees will be met by the State.

This measure is intended to support the management of the symptoms of menopause and, therefore, relates to the provision of treatment for the symptoms a specific medical condition/life stage i.e. menopause. HRT is the most commonly used treatment for managing symptoms of menopause and has shown to be the most effective intervention.

Menopause has been highlighted as a key priority area by the Women’s Health Taskforce. It is a key action in the Women’s Health Action Plans. A number of measures have been implemented in recent years to improve the experience of menopause for women in Ireland, including this HRT arrangement.

HRT is used in the treatment of other medical conditions/circumstances, including gender-affirming healthcare, hypogonadism, IVF, and some cancer treatments.

However, the current provision of the Free HRT Arrangement, legislated for under the Health Insurance (Amendment) and Health (Provision of Menopause Products) Act 2024, limits eligibility to those whose healthcare provider has prescribed HRT to alleviate the symptoms of menopause.

The legislation includes the following definitions which limits the arrangement to the treatment of the symptoms of all stages of menopause:

• “‘menopause’ means, in relation to a woman, the various stages related to menopause and includes perimenopause, post menopause, early menopause, premature menopause and medically induced menopause;
• ‘menopause products’ means hormone replacement therapy drugs, medicines and surgical and medical appliances used to alleviate the symptoms of menopause, which are for the time being on the Reimbursement List.”