Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 October 2025
351. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection if his Department has commenced any assessment or scoping exercise into the legal recognition of non-binary gender under the Gender Recognition Act 2015; if so, the terms of reference of this assessment; and the expected date for its completion. [53232/25]
View answer352. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will provide the number of officials assigned to work on the assessment of recognising non-binary gender in law; and the estimated cost to his Department to date. [53233/25]
View answer353. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection if his Department has commissioned any external consultants, research studies, or advisory groups in respect of legal recognition of non-binary gender; and if so, to list the contracts and the costs incurred. [53234/25]
View answer354. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection if his Department has engaged with the Department of Foreign Affair &Trade, the Department of Justice of Home Affairs and Migration, and the Department of Children, Disability & Equality regarding the international recognition of Irish passports or other identity documents containing a non-binary gender marker. [53235/25]
View answer355. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection the way in which his Department proposes to amend existing databases, forms, and records to accommodate a non-binary gender marker; and if he has undertaken any analysis of the costs and technical requirements of this. [53236/25]
View answer356. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection if he has considered the implications of introducing a non-binary gender category for statistical reporting in areas such as health, education, employment, and census data; and if so, to outline the preparatory work undertaken. [53237/25]
View answer357. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection if he has sought or received legal advice from the Attorney General on the compatibility of recognising a non-binary gender in Irish law with existing legislation on family law, succession, taxation, and equality; and if so, to provide details of this advice. [53238/25]
View answer358. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection the consultations he has undertaken with stakeholders on the recognition of non-binary gender; if she will publish the list of groups consulted; and if she will commit to a public consultation process before bringing forward any legislative change. [53239/25]
View answer359. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection if his Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of legal recognition of non-binary gender on gender quota legislation, including political representation and corporate boards; and if he will publish this assessment. [53240/25]
View answer360. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection if he has prepared any estimate of the long-term financial and administrative cost to the State of recognising non-binary gender in law; and if so, to provide the figures. [53241/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 351, 352, 353, 354, 355, 356, 357, 358, 359 and 360 together.
The Review Group for the Gender Recognition Act recommended in its report extending legal gender recognition to non-binary people, while also recognising the complexity of the issue and acknowledging that a comprehensive impact analysis may be required.
In June 2025 the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality, Integration and Youth launched the National LGBTIQ+Inclusion Strategy II (2024-2028).
As part of this strategy my department has committed to progressing the action point to establish an interdepartmental working group to carry out an impact assessment on providing legal recognition for those who identify as non-binary.
The issues raised by the Deputy, including the implications for Irish passports or other identity documents, will be considered as part of the work of that group.
At this point my department has not commissioned any external consultants, research studies, or advisory groups in respect of legal recognition of non-binary gender.
A Steering Committee, chaired by the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality, Integration and Youth will be established comprising representatives from the LGBTIQ+ community and statutory and non-statutory bodies including Government Departments.
My department will be participating in progressing relevant actions in line with the Strategy and Action Plan.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
