Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 March 2023
742. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm whether he has met with transgender representative groups in respect of consultation with regards to transgender health care in Ireland; if so, if he will confirm what engagement has taken place; what engagement he intends on undertaking with these groups in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15460/23]
View answerThe Government is committed to the development by the HSE of a well-governed and patient-centred health care service for adults and children in the transgender community.
In 2020, a steering committee was established to address specific issues in relation to the development of Transgender Identity Services. The Committee had a wide range of stakeholders from the agencies involved in delivering care, as well as service user representatives, including a representative from TENI.
The Minister for Health has met with TENI, the transgender representative body, to hear their views on service design and delivery.
The HSE is committed to developing a seamless and integrated service for those with gender identity issues on an ongoing basis, with the support of all relevant stakeholders, and are focused on providing a high quality and safe service to an often extremely vulnerable patient group. Throughout this process, the HSE will be consulting with a wide range of stakeholders in the development of the new model of care. Including those who provide and use these services, and representative groups.
I strongly believe that patients have a central role to play in the development of health policy and the reform of the health services. I am committed to engaging with transgender representative groups to hear their views on service design and delivery.
