Gender transitions for children must be “medically led” and involve the participation of their families, the Education Minister has said.

Under current laws, those aged above 16 can apply to change their gender, but there is no mechanism available for those aged below 16 to have a gender change officially recognised by the State.

From September 2015 to the end of 2021, there were 882 Gender Recognition Certificates issued by the State to those who had applied for a gender change.

Medically led

Speaking this morning, Minister Norma Foley said transitions must be medically led.

“Parental consent is really important and I think parents need to be a part of the process,” she said.

“Equally, I think we need to recognise the individual's circumstances that are involved.

“I absolutely need to be very clear that I think parents need to be involved in the process and it does have to be medically led.”

Gender transitions

Minister Foley said a new study on gender transitions made available to the Department of Health will bring more clarity to the subject.

“I’d like to see what the advice would be before any decisions are made going forward,” she said.

A poll conducted by Newstalk last year found gender identity to be a divisive issue, with 40% of parents believing it should be taught in school and 42% saying it should not be.

It further found that 49% of people say children under 18 who wish to transition should not have access to puberty blockers, while 21% believe they should, but with parental consent.

Main image: Minister for Education Norma Foley in the Courtyard of Government Buildings, as she addresses media to provide further details of arrangements for 2022 Leaving Certificate. Photograph: Sasko Lazarov / RollingNews.ie