Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 February 2026
1017. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether she was advised, at any point between 2020 and 2025, that there was no Department of Health or HSE policy governing the collection, verification, or publication of data relating to gender identity services for children and young people; the dates on which any such advice was provided; the officials or offices that provided that advice; and the actions, if any, she directed in response. [9328/26]
View answer1018. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department conducted or commissioned any formal governance, risk, or child safeguarding assessment addressing the absence of routine data collection, outcome monitoring, or longitudinal follow-up in paediatric gender identity services prior to approving or revising policy or models of care since 2020; and if not, to outline the rationale for proceeding with policy development in the absence of such assessments. [9329/26]
View answer1050. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department has formally approved any national governance or clinical policy framework for gender identity services for children and young people provided by the Health Service Executive; if so, the date of that approval; and if not, the reason no Department-approved framework is currently in place for services involving minors. [9483/26]
View answer1051. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the date of the most recent Department-led review, audit, or evaluation of governance and safeguarding arrangements for gender identity services for children and young people; whether that review was internal or external; and whether its findings were provided to her Department for policy or regulatory action. [9484/26]
View answer1052. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department has issued mandatory national safeguarding, clinical governance, or diagnostic standards for gender identity services for children and young people; whether compliance with such standards is a condition of service provision; and how compliance is monitored or enforced at national level by her Department. [9485/26]
View answer1053. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department is aware that structured national datasets for gender identity services for minors, including referral volumes, diagnostic profiles, treatment pathways, and outcomes, are not currently in place; and whether she considers the absence of such datasets compatible with evidence-based healthcare planning and safeguarding obligations. [9486/26]
View answer1054. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether she has issued, or intends to issue, a ministerial policy direction requiring the establishment of national datasets for gender identity services for children and young people; and if so, the proposed scope, governance arrangements, and timeline for implementation. [9487/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1017, 1018, 1050, 1051, 1052, 1053 and 1054 together.
As the Deputy will be aware and as set out in the Programme for Government 2025, this Government is committed to ensuring a transgender healthcare service that is based on clinical evidence, respect, inclusiveness and compassion.
It is in this context that my department has provided funding to the HSE in 2024, 2025 and this year for the establishment and development of the National Clinical Programme for Gender Healthcare. This programme is developing an updated clinical Model of Care with the aim of designing clinical pathways to deliver safe and effective health and social care for those seeking gender affirming healthcare services. This work will also inform an implementation plan for its delivery.
In the context of current services, there is no specialist gender service for children and young people (under the age of 16). The current pathway for children and young people is to attend their GP who may refer the patient to their local CAMHS service. The HSE National Clinical Programme for Gender Healthcare will include a clinical framework for the clinical support and management of children and young people in primary, secondary and specialist care settings, and matters such as the collection of clinical data will be considered in the development of this model of care.
Developing a model of care for Gender Healthcare Services is a complex process and the HSE and my department are working 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.
