Marie Sherlock (Dublin Central, Labour)
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133. To ask the Minister for Health the steps her Department is taking to address the unacceptable wait times for trans healthcare and to improve healthcare for trans people within the primary care system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [64376/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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The provision of proper, appropriate and integrated gender healthcare services is something that I want to ensure is in place for those who are questioning their gender identity or are experiencing gender incongruence or dysphoria.

As outlined in the Programme for Government 2025, the Government are 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.

A Clinical Advisory Group has been established and was convened in June 2025 with the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland.

As part of the development of the model of care, the existing and emerging evidence base, including international evidence on health outcomes, and data on the clinical needs of those presenting to clinical services over the years, will be reviewed. The Model of Care will consider all available information, and will not be aligned with any one study, report, or set of guidelines.

The HSE commenced the systematic review on the evidence base with respect to co-existing clinical needs in gender diverse people with support from the HSE Library Service. Interim results of this review were made available for public consultation during the month of August 2025. The HSE are now reviewing any submissions and completing the evidence review of this topic.

Another main element of the work will include a review of the experience base which encompasses an understanding of the experience of service users, their families, healthcare workers in gender healthcare and other stakeholders. As this is an area of healthcare where there are many public voices, all efforts will be made to hear from those with who have lived and living experience. In this regard, a number of lived experience engagement design sessions, attended by a number of advocacy groups, have been held to inform the development of a plan to maximise stakeholder engagement.

Developing a model of care for Gender Healthcare Services is expected to be a complex process and the HSE and department officials 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.