Written Answers Nos. 965-985
965. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether the Department or the HSE monitors instances where SCAN caseloads exceed recommended or safe levels; if so, the number of such instances recorded in 2024 and 2025. [32473/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
966. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the total number of referrals made to SCAN services in 2025, including those accepted and not accepted for assessment; and if she will provide a breakdown by region. [32474/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
967. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the number of referrals to SCAN services deemed ineligible or redirected to alternative pathways in 2025; and the mechanisms in place to record and monitor such cases. [32475/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
968. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether a national dataset is maintained on referrals not accepted by SCAN services; if not, the reason for the absence of such data; and any plans to introduce it. [32476/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
969. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the average waiting time from GP referral to SCAN assessment in 2025; and if she will provide the longest recorded waiting times by region. [32477/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
970. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether SCAN service capacity, caseload pressures, or unmet demand are recorded as risks within any HSE or Departmental risk register; and if she will outline the governance arrangements in place. [32478/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
972. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether any adverse incidents, clinical risks, or service escalations have been linked to SCAN caseload pressures or service capacity constraints; and if she will provide details for 2024 and 2025. [32480/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
973. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether national key performance indicators apply to SCAN services in respect of caseload, waiting times, or patient outcomes; and if she will provide details of those indicators and current performance levels. [32481/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
974. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Clare will receive an appointment for surgery at Croom Orthopaedic Hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32482/26]
View answerUnder the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. The Minister for Health is prohibited from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
975. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether she is satisfied that gender-related assessment and referral pathways for minors should continue operating pending completion of the HSE model of care in Quarter 4 2026, in circumstances where structured national data collection systems are not currently in place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32514/26]
View answer976. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department has conducted any risk assessment in respect of the continuation of gender-related assessment and referral pathways for minors in the absence of a finalised national model of care; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32515/26]
View answer977. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether she has received any formal assurance from the HSE that all gender-related assessment and referral pathways for minors are subject to consistent clinical governance, safeguarding, and audit standards across the State pending completion of the national model of care; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32516/26]
View answer980. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department currently receives any regular reports or datasets from the HSE in respect of gender-related referrals, assessments, or treatments involving minors; if so, to detail the nature and frequency of such reporting; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32519/26]
View answer981. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether any national clinical governance framework specific to gender-related assessment and referral pathways for minors has been formally approved by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32520/26]
View answer982. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether any audit, inspection, or external review of gender-related assessment and referral pathways for minors has been commissioned by her Department since 2020, other than the Cass-related review; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32521/26]
View answer1208. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the reason no national audit or independent review has been conducted since 2020 into gender-related assessment and referral pathways for minors. [33181/26]
View answer1216. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health to set out whether her Department has issued any direction, guidance, or policy requirement to the HSE in respect of the collection of national data on referrals, assessments, outcomes, and costs associated with gender-related healthcare pathways for minors; and the current status of any such initiative.; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33190/26]
View answer1220. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health to confirm whether her Department has established a timeline, with defined milestones, for the implementation of a national data collection system, audit framework, and governance structure for gender-related healthcare services for minors; and if so, to provide details. [33194/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 975, 976, 977, 980, 981, 982, 1208, 1216 and 1220 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.
978. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the date on which the HSE report examining the implications of the final Cass Review for gender healthcare services in Ireland was completed; the reason it has not yet been published; the expected publication date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32517/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
979. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether the forthcoming HSE model of care for gender healthcare services will include a requirement for mandatory national data collection on referrals, assessments, treatments, outcomes, adverse events, and costs in respect of minors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32518/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
983. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether interim national guidelines or directives have been issued by her Department to the HSE governing gender-related assessment and referral pathways for minors pending completion of the model of care; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32522/26]
View answerAs 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. If specialised gender assessment and support is required, children are then referred by a CAMHS consultant to the NHS Children and Young People’s Gender Service in the U.K. under the Treatment Abroad Scheme (TAS) for a multidisciplinary assessment. 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.
984. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether she will commit to publishing all governance, audit, and evidence review documents underpinning the development of the HSE model of care for gender healthcare services for minors upon completion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32523/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
985. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health to identify the specific office, unit or named role within the Department or the HSE that holds ultimate national accountability for clinical governance, oversight and policy direction in respect of gender-related assessment and referral pathways for minors; and to outline the reporting structure to the Minister. [32524/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
