Mary Butler
Waterford · Fianna Fáil · Ireland
“Major improvements are happening across services: enhanced access to proactive and preventive healthcare to support a better quality of life; the embedding and upscaling of women's health initiatives put in place through the implementation of the previous women's health action plans, including, as the Senator knows, free contraception, sp…”
“In relation to any proposal, a proposal for a new location requires a detailed business case, a premises, support from the regional HSE management, and the necessary funding to resource the staffing of the service. That is where I come into it and what I will be trying to do.”
“We are currently working closely with it to support the expansion of Jigsaw services to Waterford and the south east, as well as to County Clare. The location of Waterford was picked because we have no services in the south east at all. It is great that we will have the hub and spoke model the Senator spoke about.”
“That is where I do not agree with the Senator. I believe €180 million of funding ring-fenced for women's health, when we have come from a low base, is absolutely unbelievable.”
“The plan will build on our knowledge of women's health through research and innovation and will spotlight important areas such as endometriosis and cardiovascular health. Recently, the Minister announced €2 million in funding for women's health research.”
“This plan will continue to focus on how we can improve access to specialist endometriosis care and treatment. As the Senator knows, we have established two super-regional specialist centres, one in Tallaght University Hospital and another in Cork, alongside the development of five regional endometriosis hubs.”
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“I will briefly outline some of the important features of each Part of the Bill. Part 1 deals with the preliminary and general provisions of the Act, including the Short Title, definitions, regulations and legislation to be repealed on the commencement of the Act. Section 2 of Part 1 provides for a number of changes to the definitions in the Bill, including a new expanded definition of "treatment" and "mental disorder". Part 2 deals with the guiding principles to apply for adults in section 9 and children in section 10. The guiding principles for adults will replace the existing best interests principle for adults and move towards a system where people are encouraged and supported to make decisions about their care and treatment insofar as is possible.”
“The Bill contains a revised approach to involuntary admission and detention, updated criteria for detention, additional safeguards to protect involuntarily admitted people and new consent to treatment provisions closer in alignment with the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act; the expansion of the Mental Health Commission’s regulatory functions to include the regulation, registration and inspection of all mental health services, including community residences and services, including all community CAMHS; and a new, stand-alone Part that relates solely to the inpatient care and treatment of children, and, subject to certain limited exceptions, will allow 16- and 17-year-olds to consent to or refuse treatment on the same basis as consent and refusal for physical health.”
“I commend the work of the officials from the Office of the Attorney General, the Office of Parliamentary Counsel and my own Department in readying the Bill for publication. I will highlight the most significant provisions of the Bill for Senators.”
“I thank each of those organisations and individuals for their input, particularly our key partners the Mental Health Commission, as regulator of mental health services, and the HSE, as the main provider of mental health services in the State. In 2021, I launched a public consultation which received 100 submissions and helped inform the development of the Bill during the drafting process. I thank each person and group who submitted to that consultation, especially those with lived experience and the experiences of their loved ones. I also express my sincere thanks to my colleagues across government, to members of the Oireachtas Sub-Committee on Mental Health, to the committee secretariat for their work on the pre-legislative scrutiny process, and to the team in the Bills Office in the Oireachtas.”
“At the point of ratification in 2018, Ireland entered a declaration to the effect that it believed involuntary admission and treatment for mental disorders to be in keeping with its understanding of the convention subject to adequate legal safeguards being in place. The Bill as passed by the Dáil on 9 July comprises nine Parts and 222 sections. This is a lengthy, complex Bill dealing with difficult legal and ethical considerations which needed and deserved a number of years to bring it to fruition. I have spent the past four years working on this Bill. Extensive consultation with key stakeholders took place to progress the Bill to where it is today.”
“It introduced key safeguards for people who are involuntarily admitted to mental health settings and established the Mental Health Commission as regulator of all inpatient mental health services. However, the context in which mental health services are delivered has evolved significantly over the nearly 25 years since the current Act was enacted and we need mental health legislation that better reflects this. Since the enactment of the Mental Health Act 2001, there have been significant developments in the rights of people, such as the commencement of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 and the ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2018.”
“I thank the Cathaoirleach for listing this business this afternoon. I am pleased to be here as Minister of State for mental health to present the Mental Health Bill to Seanad Éireann following its passage through the Dáil during the summer legislative session. As Senators will be aware, the Bill has been developed over the past number of years. A commitment to review the Mental Health Act 2001, informed by human rights standards and in consultation with service users, carers and other stakeholders, was committed to by the current and previous Governments. The enactment of this Bill has been a long-standing priority for me since I came into office as Minister of State with responsibility for mental health. The Mental Health Act 2001 was a robust, progressive piece of legislation for its time.”
“I thank the Deputy very much for his question on the long-term illness scheme, where many illnesses are listed. The Department of Health, in conjunction with the HSE, keeps this under review at all times. I will bring the Deputy's concerns back to the Department.”
“It probably points to the question that there are ad hoc arrangements all over the country in relation to transportation for people with cancer who are availing of radiotherapy supports. I also want to commend the community that raised €50,000. That is not easy to do, and well done to them. As I said, €150,000 is there now. I am not really sure how much a bus would cost, but if it is 80% of it, we are not too far out. Hopefully, a solution can be found very quickly. I thank the Deputy for raising the issue.”
“I do not disagree with any word Deputy Feighan has said in relation to this. The fact is that we are almost there, but that is not good enough for anybody who is travelling today with regard to wheelchair accessibility and having a toilet on board for those travelling from Sligo to Galway. It is a long enough spin as it is, especially when they are going for a specific treatment to support their cancer journey. I will give the Deputy a commitment here on the floor that I will go back to the Department this morning and ask it to make contact with the old CHO 1, as we called it, to see whether a sensible approach can happen. Notwithstanding the fact that we are two weeks out from a budget, we would be hopeful that money might free up after the budget. I will give the Deputy that commitment, however. He has raised a really important item.”
“I again take the Deputy's point that the comfort breaks might not always be at the appropriate time for a person who needs those supports. The Department is committed to ongoing engagement with the HSE and partners to find a solution that works for patients. A total of €150,000 has been secured, including €50,000 from the fundraising efforts and well done to those involved in those efforts. An amount of €100,000 was secured from CHO 1, as it was previously known. It is now really important that the remainder of the funding, however much it is and whether it is €20,000 or €30,000, is found and the bus is up and running to provide supports for people who are very ill and going for radiotherapy treatment.”
“I reassure the Deputy that the Department is committed to ongoing engagement with the HSE and partners to find a solution that works for patients. In addition, the national cancer control programme collaborates and supports the "Travel2Care" initiative administered by the Irish Cancer Society. This transport programme is available to patients attending a designated cancer centre for cancer tests or treatment. I have also been informed that the HSE has advised that a new patient transport service also runs from Letterkenny University Hospital to Galway and commenced in August 2024. This bus is wheelchair accessible and while it does not have a toilet on board, the service facilitates comfort breaks along the route.”
“Since the original bus was recently retired from service, a local bus company has been providing interim transport for patients. The buses currently used, as the Deputy has quite rightly said, are not wheelchair accessible and do not have toilet facilities on board. As the Deputy said, these are two components that are really important. The Department of Health was informed in December 2024 that the HSE Community Health Organisation, CHO, 1, as it was then, had committed to provide €100,000 towards the procurement of a new bus. The charity seeking the funding has raised €50,000 from its fundraising efforts. I believe that this amounts to over 80% of the funding required for the bus. The Department of Health recognises the significant additional burden that travelling long distances for cancer treatment can have.”
“I thank the Deputy for his question. He has raised a really important issue with what he calls the radiotherapy bus. He is right; local charities and local people who volunteer do phenomenal work. I am taking this on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill. As the Deputy said, the bus was originally procured using one-off funding from the HSE in 2011, following on from the essential relocation of breast cancer services from Sligo to Galway. These services were relocated as part of a wider centralisation programme for cancer services. The centralisation of services is a key part of successive national cancer strategies, ensuring that expertise and resources are concentrated to provide the best possible service for patients, as this is known to have a direct benefit on patient outcomes.”
“I thank the Deputy for the question. I am familiar with the issue as our constituencies border each other. It has been raised with me by people living in south Tipperary. I have been in contact with the new integrated health area manager in the HSE in relation to this. The Deputy is right. The waiting lists are increasing because of it. I met one of the employees when I happened to be out and about one day and she raised the issue with me. I will speak to the HSE locally in that area again. I will revert to the Deputy in writing, if that is okay.”
“We had a good and robust meeting last Thursday, which the Ceann Comhairle will be aware of, given that she chaired it, in relation to the Order of Business for this week. Regarding the items raised, the Minister gave a comprehensive answer on the issue of mica.”
“the Statements on the National Social Enterprise Policy – Trading for Impact shall not exceed 2 hours and 25 minutes and the order of speaking and allocation of time shall be as follows: (a) the arrangements for the statements, not including the Ministerial response, shall be in accordance with the arrangements contained in the table immediately below (to be read across, not down); (b) following the statements, a Minister or Minister of State shall be called upon to make a statement in reply which shall not exceed 10 minutes; and (c) members may share time. Gov SF Lab Gov SF Mins 25 15 10 10 3 SD Gov SF IPTG Gov Mins 10 10 3 9 10 SF ITG Gov SF OM Mins 3 9 10 3 5”
“In relation to Thursday’s business, it is proposed that: 1. the ordinary routine of business as contained in Schedule 3 to Standing Orders shall be modified to the extent that topical issues may be taken earlier than 7.24 p.m. and shall in any event be taken on the conclusion of the Statements on the National Social Enterprise Policy – Trading for Impact, with consequential effect on the commencement time for Second Stage of the Industrial Relations (Boycott of Joint Labour Committees) Bill 2025, and on the time for the adjournment of the Dáil; and 2.”
“the proceedings on the Motion for Third Further Revised Estimate 2025 [Vote 24] shall be taken either at 5.30 p.m., or on the conclusion of the Statements on the Use of Vapes and Nicotine Products by Young People and Adolescents, whichever is the later, and shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion after 60 minutes, and the following arrangements shall apply thereto: (a) the order of speaking and allocation of time shall be as follows:- - opening speech by a Minister or Minister of State – 10 minutes; - speeches by representatives of Sinn Féin, the Labour Party, Social Democrats, Independent and Parties Technical Group, and Independent Technical Group – 7.5 minutes per party or group; - speeches by Other Members – 7.5 minutes in total; and - a speech in response by the Minister – 5 minutes; (b) members may share time; and (c) any division claimed thereon shall be taken immediately.”
“the Statements on the Use of Vapes and Nicotine Products by Young People and Adolescents shall not exceed 2 hours and 25 minutes and the order of speaking and allocation of time shall be as follows: (a) the arrangements for the statements, not including the Ministerial response, shall be in accordance with the arrangements contained in the table immediately below (to be read across, not down); (b) following the statements, a Minister or Minister of State shall be called upon to make a statement in reply which shall not exceed 10 minutes; and (c) members may share time; and Gov SF Lab Gov SF Mins 25 15 10 10 3 SD Gov SF IPTG Gov Mins 10 10 3 9 10 SF ITG Gov SF OM Mins 3 9 10 3 5 5.”
“the Statements on Auto-Enrolment shall not exceed 2 hours and 25 minutes and the order of speaking and allocation of time shall be as follows: (a) the arrangements for the statements, not including the Ministerial response, shall be in accordance with the arrangements contained in the table immediately below (to be read across, not down); (b) following the statements, a Minister or Minister of State shall be called upon to make a statement in reply which shall not exceed 10 minutes; and (c) members may share time; Gov SF Lab Gov SF Mins 25 15 10 10 3 SD Gov SF IPTG Gov Mins 10 10 3 9 10 SF ITG Gov SF OM Mins 3 9 10 3 5 4.”
“the ordinary routine of business as contained in Schedule 3 to Standing Orders shall be modified to the following extent: (a) in the event that the Statements on the Use of Vapes and Nicotine Products by Young People and Adolescents conclude before 5.30 p.m., the sitting shall stand suspended until 5.30 p.m., when the order of business shall resume with the Motion for Third Further Revised Estimate 2025 [Vote 24]; and (b) the weekly division time shall be taken on the conclusion of the Motion for Third Further Revised Estimate 2025 [Vote 24], with consequential effect on the time for the adjournment of the Dáil; 2. the proceedings on the Motion re Statement of Estimates for the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission shall be taken without debate; 3.”
“the Statements on School Transport shall not exceed 3 hours and 32 minutes and the order of speaking and allocation of time shall be as follows: (a) the arrangements for the statements, not including the Ministerial response, shall be in accordance with the arrangements contained in the table immediately below (to be read across, not down); (b) following the statements, a Minister or Minister of State shall be called upon to make a statement in reply which shall not exceed 10 minutes; and (c) members may share time. Gov SF Lab Gov SF Mins 35 25 15 15 5 SD Gov SF IPTG Gov Mins 15 15 5 12 15 SF ITG Gov SF OM Mins 5 12 15 5 8 In relation to Wednesday’s business, it is proposed that: 1.”
“the proceedings on the Motion re Presentation and Circulation of Further Revised Estimates 2025 [Votes 29, 33 and 34] and Third Further Revised Estimate 2025 [Vote 24] shall be taken without debate and any division claimed thereon shall be taken immediately; 3. the proceedings on the Motion re Approval of Appointment of Members of the Legal Services Regulatory Authority shall be taken without debate; and 4.”
“the ordinary routine of business as contained in Schedule 3 to Standing Orders shall be modified to the following extent: (a) the Dáil may sit later than 10.48 p.m.; (b) Parliamentary Questions to the Taoiseach pursuant to Standing Order 47(1) shall not be taken, and Government business shall commence at the time when Parliamentary Questions to the Taoiseach would normally be taken; and (c) private members' business may be taken later than 6.12 p.m. and shall in any event be taken on the conclusion of the Statements on School Transport, with consequential effect on the commencement time for Parliamentary Questions to the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, and on the commencement time for topical issues; 2.”
“and to conclude within 60 minutes, with any division claimed to be taken immediately) Wednesday’s private members' business shall be the Motion re Child Poverty and Homelessness, selected by the Labour Party Thursday's business shall be Statements on the National Social Enterprise Policy – Trading for Impact (not to exceed 2 hours and 25 minutes) Thursday evening business shall be the Second Stage of the Industrial Relations (Boycott of Joint Labour Committees) Bill 2025, sponsored by Deputy George Lawlor Proposed Arrangements for this week's business: In relation to Tuesday's business, it is proposed that: 1.”
“Wednesday’s business shall be: - Motion re Statement of Estimates for the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission (without debate) - Statements on Auto-Enrolment (not to exceed 2 hours and 25 minutes) - Statements on the Use of Vapes and Nicotine Products by Young People and Adolescents (not to exceed 2 hours and 25 minutes) - Motion for Third Further Revised Estimate for Public Services 2025 [Vote 24] (to be taken no earlier than 5.30 p.m.”
“I move: Tuesday's business shall be: - Motion re Presentation and Circulation of Further Revised Estimates 2025 [Votes 29, 33 and 34] and Third Further Revised Estimate 2025 [Vote 24] (without debate and any division claimed to be taken immediately) - Motion re Approval of Appointment of Members of the Legal Services Regulatory Authority (without debate) - Statements on School Transport (not to exceed 3 hours and 32 minutes) Tuesday's private members' business shall be the Motion re Energy Costs, selected by Sinn Féin.”
“I appreciate the Ceann Comhairle's efficiency. The Business Committee met last Thursday at 11 a.m. There was no request for a debate on energy last Thursday. We will have another Business Committee meeting tomorrow at 11 a.m. and I can take on board all the requests that have been made. Yes, we will certainly have a debate or statements on Gaza in the next week or two. That was discussed last Thursday. We will certainly be able to facilitate this. The Minister is in the Dáil this afternoon for statements on the disability strategy and speaking time is available if anybody would like to speak. I will see the Whips at 11 a.m. tomorrow and the business as of today stands.”
“the Statements on Migration shall not exceed 2 hours and 25 minutes and the order of speaking and allocation of time shall be as follows: ( a ) the arrangements for the statements, not including the Ministerial response, shall be in accordance with the arrangements contained in the table immediately below (to be read across, not down); ( b ) following the statements, a Minister or Minister of State shall be called upon to make a statement in reply which shall not exceed 10 minutes; and ( c ) members may share time. Gov SF Lab Gov SF Mins 25 15 10 10 3 SD Gov SF IPTG Gov Mins 10 10 3 9 10 SF ITG Gov SF OM Mins 3 9 10 3 5”
“Gov SF Lab Gov SF Mins 25 15 10 10 3 SD Gov SF IPTG Gov Mins 10 10 3 9 10 SF ITG Gov SF OM Mins 3 9 10 3 5 In relation to Thursday's business, it is proposed that: 1. the ordinary routine of business as contained in Schedule 3 to Standing Orders shall be modified to the following extent: ( a ) no motion for a Committee report pursuant to Standing Order 111 or private member's Bill pursuant to Standing Order 169 shall be taken; ( b ) private members' business pursuant to Standing Order 168(1) and Standing Order 176 shall be taken for 2 hours on the conclusion of the Statements on Migration; and ( c ) topical issues shall be taken on the conclusion of private members' business, and the Dáil shall adjourn on the conclusion of topical issues; and 2.”
“the proceedings on the Motion re Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (‘BBNJ Agreement’) shall be taken without debate and any division claimed thereon shall be taken immediately; and 3. the Statements on National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030 shall not exceed 2 hours and 25 minutes and the order of speaking and allocation of time shall be as follows: ( a ) the arrangements for the statements, not including the Ministerial response, shall be in accordance with the arrangements contained in the table immediately below (to be read across, not down); ( b ) following the statements, a Minister or Minister of State shall be called upon to make a statement in reply which shall not exceed 10 minutes; and ( c ) members may share time.”
“the ordinary routine of business as contained in Schedule 3 to Standing Orders shall be modified to the extent that, notwithstanding the provisions of Standing Order 34(1)— ( a ) the Order of Business and Questions on Policy or Legislation shall be taken immediately following Other Members’ Questions; ( b ) private members’ business may be taken later than 6.12 p.m. and shall in any event be taken on the conclusion of the Statements on National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030; ( c ) questions pursuant to Standing Order 47(1) to a Minister other than the Taoiseach shall not be taken; and ( d ) topical issues shall be taken on the conclusion of private members’ business; 2.”
“I move: Wednesday's business shall be: - Motion re Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (‘BBNJ Agreement’) (without debate and any division claimed to be taken immediately) - Statements on National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030 (not to exceed 2 hours and 25 minutes) Wednesday's private members' business shall be the Motion re Special Education School Places, selected by Sinn Féin. Thursday's business shall be Statements on Migration (not to exceed 2 hours and 25 minutes) Thursday's private members' business shall be the Motion re Anti-Social Behaviour, selected by the Independent Technical Group. Proposed Arrangements for this week's business: In relation to Wednesday's business, it is proposed that: 1.”
“Furthermore, we placed a legal obligation on people in certain positions working with children and vulnerable adults and in other positions of authority to report any concerns they may have to Tusla or An Garda Síochána. It is the responsibility of all Departments to ensure that all staff in their Departments and the relevant sectors and agencies under their remit of and funded by them are aware of and comply with the obligations under Children First guidance and relevant legislation to ensure that children and young people are kept safe while accessing services provided or funded by every Department. I am happy to talk to the Senator offline after this.”
“As a Minister of State in the Department of Health, I take safeguarding incredibly seriously. I have to be frank. For too long we have had a culture of silence in relation to child abuse, with cover-ups facilitated by institutions and those in positions of power and authority. I do not say that lightly. We also know of the harm caused to people who have been victimised and abused in the care of the State and services funded by the State. This is not new and unfortunately it is not something we can say is fully behind us in the past either. Culture change takes time. From the very introduction of Children First, we set out a very clear message for everyone. If in doubt, report it. Do not expect somebody else will.”
“The HSE has advised my Department that after the relevant therapists wrote to the CEO of the HSE in October 2024 on this matter, the CEO wrote to the health region stating - this is really important - that there should be no line management screening of mandated reporting by individual professionals and suggested that the therapists be advised immediately that they are free to contact Tusla directly. The relevant staff were advised of this. I will come back in my next response to the Senator.”
“The purpose of this is for communication; consultation when a staff member is unsure of their concern, and for the line manager to ensure that the child protection and welfare reporting procedure is followed correctly. The HSE have advised my Department that it is not intended to be a screening of a concern or a barrier to reporting. This is the real nub of it. The HSE policy clearly states that when there is disagreement about the threshold of concern "either party can seek further consultation with Tusla. If you remain concerned, you should report this concern to Tusla and/or An Garda Síochána.".. The policy also states that a mandated person "cannot delegate their own responsibility to report".”
“The Children First Act is supported by the Children First National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children 2017, and the HSE child protection and welfare policy, which sets out the roles, responsibilities and procedures assigned to ensure the effective management of child protection and welfare concerns in the HSE. The HSE is very clear on the obligations of mandated persons. All staff are regularly made aware of the policy and the obligations on mandated staff to report their concerns to Tusla and-or An Garda Síochána. One aspect of the existing HSE child protection and welfare policy indicates that staff should inform their line manager when a concern arises.”
“I have been advised that while the HSE has been actively working on this issue from the outset, the formal review process took longer than anticipated to commence owing to its complexity. I am not happy with that, the fact that it took longer than anticipated to commence. The issues raised are too serious. Once this review is completed, the HSE will take any required actions to ensure that the findings and recommendations are implemented in full. Under the Children First Act 2015, there are specific legal obligations for certain staff known as mandated persons to report certain information relating to harm of a child to Tusla, known as mandatory reporting.”
“As professionals, I expect everyone working in our health and social care services to not only fulfil their legal obligations, but to act urgently out of concern for the welfare of any child or vulnerable person who may be at risk. I understand that HSE West and North West is progressing an independent external review under the HSE Incident Management Framework 2020 relating to a counselling service in the north west. This review was initiated following concerns raised in relation to children first mandatory reporting, as the Senator said. The HSE advises that it is engaging with staff directly in this process in line with the incident management framework.”
“I thank the Senator for raising this really important matter. I apologise for being late. I was in the Dáil. I arranged cover in the Dáil because I wanted to take this matter personally. I did not want to pass it to someone else. The Senator will appreciate that none of the Government, my Department, the HSE or I can comment on the individual case. However, the HSE does, as a matter of routine, investigate any allegations of the nature made in this case and notifies all appropriate agencies and individuals. I want to take the opportunity to set out my absolute intolerance of any inaction on safeguarding and reporting of safeguarding. Safeguarding is everyone's business. I have said that for so many years in relation to mental health, dementia, and older people. No one cannot turn their back on safeguarding.”
“As a Minister of State, mother and proud ally, I pledge that the lives of LGBTQ+ people, and especially trans children and adults, must guide the steps we take this year and beyond.”
“I also acknowledge the work of advocacy organisations, including BelonG To, TEN-I, ChillOUT in Waterford and others, which have driven progress, raised awareness and held us to account. There is no replacing lived and living experience in the crafting of good policy, and I thank them for their partnership. The Pride celebrations for this year may have drawn to a close but I say to all members of the community that I stand with them, I hear them and I remain committed to action over my words today. Pride is more than visibility. It is the continuous demand for real change, and Ireland has made that demand manifest. From the ballot box to this House and the health services that serve our communities, we will not rest until equality is lived out in every interaction.”
“As a Government, we must monitor and reduce the wait times systematically, as we must across all health services. We must publish a full model of care as soon as possible. We must expand capacity in gender services, including examining the development of new regional hubs that have worked in other areas. We must stop exporting trans healthcare as if it is someone else's problem. We must ensure continuity of care for those referred from other jurisdictions. I feel this responsibility personally. I have seen the distress that prolonged uncertainty brings and the courage it takes for young people and families to demand better. We must continue to meet that challenge head-on with empathy, respect, dignity, resources and urgency.”
“Supporting our trans citizens is not optional. It is and must be a measure of our shared humanity. It is also a work in progress. The funding commitments, clinical frameworks and improved access are only as strong as the promptness of their execution. I am proud to say, as the mother of a trans man living in Ireland, it is one of the safest countries in the world to be a trans young person. There are countries you could simply not go to and we must recognise that. I also recognise the work of the Department of Social Protection on gender recognition when people turn 18. It gives support and help to young people, including helping to access a birth certificate and passport. You have to go through the system to understand it. The Department is exceptional, with a turnaround time of ten days.”
“We talk about a recruitment process. We cannot get people to work in trans healthcare in Ireland. I had a meeting yesterday. People simply do not want to work there because of the abuse, the vileness and venom to which they are subjected. We will try really hard to deliver a service. I look forward to visiting the service in Drogheda, for example, that supports many hundreds of children and young people aged under 18 years. I agree with the Deputy in relation to the service in Loughlinstown. I am not convinced. There is a long waiting list there but I am certainly not convinced in relation to its model of care. In the time ahead, I will continue to work with the Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill, and colleagues across the Government and the HSE to ensure that we put this model in place and it is supported by adequate funding.”
“We are committed to a service that is rooted in clinical evidence, respect, inclusiveness and compassion, moving away from overly rigid models and towards a resilient, patient-centred standard of care. I have met many young trans people in the last five years. They are looking for respect, compassion, appropriate counselling and supports such as endocrinology, psychology, social workers and, if appropriate because not everybody will need it, psychology. That is the multidisciplinary team that the Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, and I want to develop. We are working behind the scenes to develop it. Every single time I list a meeting in relation to trans healthcare in my diary, freedom of information requests come in on it. Every single time I speak openly about trans, I am trolled on social media. It is extremely difficult.”
“A recent EU report revealed that, for many, first appointment wait lists in Ireland are way too long, leaving trans people stranded without access to vital care. We have seen reports that confirm our trans health services are the least resourced in Europe. This is simply unacceptable. That is why our programme for Government commits not simply to promises, but to practical, evidence-based plans. Budget 2025 invested €770,000 specifically to develop a robust, clinically grounded transgender healthcare model. We have appointed a clinical lead, established a multidisciplinary advisory group and begun a community-based pilot to better understand and serve trans young people.”
“In recent months, we also saw the launch of our 2025-27 implementation plan for Sharing the Vision, which includes a record €1.5 billion annual budget and the largest ever capital allocation of €31 million for mental health infrastructure in 2025. However, I stand here today to acknowledge the need to do more in one area where action is lagging, namely, gender-affirming healthcare. Our programme for Government six months ago set out the commitment to develop a transgender healthcare service that was based on clinical evidence, respect, inclusiveness and compassion. I was proud to write that into the programme for Government. Those words did not come easily. Those words came from involvement with several trans organisations and working with the HSE. This is what we felt was the best way forward.”