Carol Nolan (Offaly, Independent)
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262. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the way in which the client identity services area operates and processes applications relative to the Gender Recognition Act 2015; if the processing by the services includes face-to-face interviews; if the process is conducted entirely online or through a paper application process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56257/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The process by which a person may change their gender from male to female or female to male is set out in the Gender Recognition Act 2015 (the Act). The Act provides that a person can apply for a Gender Recognition Certificate to have their gender recognised by the State.

The process involves the completion of a paper application, which includes a statutory declaration duly witnessed by a peace commissioner, notary public, commissioner of oaths or solicitor. The completed application together with supporting documentation, to include evidence of the applicant's identity, should be posted to Client Identity Services, Department of Social Protection, Shannon Lodge, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Leitrim N41 KD81. An in-person meeting is not required.

When adjudicating an application, an officer determines if the person satisfies the criteria for the issuance of a Gender Recognition Certificate. This criteria includes (regardless of whether the applicant is ordinarily resident in the State or not) if the applicant's birth has been registered in Ireland, or where adopted, if the applicant's adoption has been registered in the Register of Adoptions or Register of Inter- Country Adoptions, or if the applicant's birth has been registered in the Register of Foreign Births; or, if the applicant has been ordinarily resident in the State for the 12 month period prior to making their application. For applicants who are under 18 years, the application must be accompanied by a Court Order exempting the applicant from the age requirement.

Where all required documentation is submitted for consideration, an officer proceeds to either grant or refuse the issuance of a Gender Recognition Certificate. Where an application is refused, the Act makes provision for the applicant to appeal the decision.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.