James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I will bring the Deputy's comments to the attention of the Minister for Health. The issues raised in this discussion are important and the Minister wants the Deputy to know that all of us in this House want to assure the transgender community is given proper, appropriate and integrated care and support they need to live authentic, fulfilling lives. I certainly agree with that. The new model of care will aim to do just that. The development of the new model of care for gender healthcare services is expected to be a complex process and the HSE and the Minister's Department will work closely together to support the process, ensuring transparency and keeping the patient at the centre of the process.

Consultation with stakeholders will be a crucial part of this work. I hear the Deputy's comments and will bring them to the Minister's attention. However, it is important 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. It is not possible to pre-empt the outcome of this process by determining at this stage what this model of care will look like once developed. The long-term aim is to provide a wide range of services for all people with gender incongruence or dysphoria, from care locally in the community to more specialised and complex care. The Minister is committed to building a service based on experience, clinical evidence, respect, inclusiveness and compassion and he is committed to the development of a well-governed and patient-centred healthcare service for the transgender community.

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