Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 September 2025
172. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health to provide further details as to her instruction to her officials to engage with concerns related to the exclusion of transgender people from the free HRT scheme (details supplied); the groups or bodies her officials are engaging with; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50615/25]
View answerAs outlined in my response to previous parliamentary questions, 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.”
At this time there are no plans to expand eligibility of the free HRT arrangement beyond this.
However, in respect of transgender healthcare more generally, the Programme for Government 2025 outlines a commitment 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.
