Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 October 2025
657. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will commission and publish research into legal gender recognition for those aged under 16 years-of-age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54773/25]
View answerIn June 2020, the Programme for Government – Our Shared Future included actions to commence research to examine arrangements for gender recognition in respect of persons aged under 16 years.
The Department of Social Protection and the then Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth jointly commissioned this research, to identify the mechanisms used in other countries, which govern legal gender recognition of children aged under 16 and to provide practical advice in relation to recognition for this age group.
The paper was intended to provide targeted information on what is a complex and sensitive issue. The jointly commissioned research is being reviewed in light of the complexity and sensitivity of this policy area.
As the research relates to issues surrounding children it is a matter for the Minister of Children, Disability and Equality to consider.
