Departmental Policies

Thursday, 16 July 2026

Questions (300)

Ken O'Flynn

Question:

300. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether, in view of her Department's publication of resources and supports for recognised schools in relation to transgender and gender-diverse students, national guidance will be issued for recognised schools on managing circumstances in which a teacher or other member of school staff transitions gender while employed; whether her Department plans to develop such guidance; if not, the reason for not doing so; whether schools are expected to develop their own policies and procedures in the absence of Departmental guidance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54270/26]

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Written answers

Minister for Education and Youth

As previously confirmed to the Deputy, my Department has not issued guidance, circulars or advice to boards of management regarding the management of situations where a member of teaching staff transitions gender while employed.

As the Deputy will be aware, under section 24 of the Education Act 1998 (as amended by the Education (Amendment) Act 2012) the board of management is the employer of teachers, SNAs and other staff of a school, except in the case of schools under the patronage of Education and Training Boards (ETB), where the ETB is the employer.

When implementing school policies on employment matters, including those which relate to legislation on equality and non-discrimination, it is open to individual school authorities to consult available guidance for employers or seek advice, as appropriate.