Trans people in Ireland are being denied access to timely gender-affirming care, according to Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice.
Deputy Rice, who’s the party’s health spokesperson, said:
“Ireland’s transgender healthcare services need urgent reform and reconfiguration to adequately provide for the trans community.
“In 2022, Ireland was found to have the worst healthcare system for trans people among 27 EU Member States.
“The only dedicated gender clinic in the country has a waiting list of over 2,000 people – with only 162 people taken off the list last year.
“Community estimates now suggest that there is a thirteen-year wait time for an appointment.
“Not only is this service oversubscribed, but it is also based on an outdated model of care that is at odds with international best practice.
“In 2019, the WHO reclassified trans healthcare as part of sexual health rather than mental health, yet the system in Ireland still treats being trans as a mental disorder.
“We also know that access to trans healthcare is lifesaving for so many.
“A 2013 Transgender Equality Network Ireland study found that 78% of transgender people have considered suicide – but after accessing trans healthcare, this drops to just 4%.
“The HSE is in the process of developing a new model of gender-affirming care but this work must be accelerated, and it should be done in partnership with the trans community.
“Any new trans healthcare programme must be in line with WHO guidance, under an informed consent model, and delivered in the community.
“This marginalised community must not be denied the care it deserves any longer.”
May 1st, 2025