The number of applications granted for Gender Recognition Certificates (GRC) fell slightly last year compared to 2023.
Under the Gender Recognition Act 2015 people can legally change their gender by applying for a gender recognition certificate.
A total of 336 people over the age of 18 applied for GRCs last year compared to 350 the previous year.
In 2024, 334 people aged 18 and over were granted certs.
Those aged 16 and 17 years can also apply with court approval. Four applied in this age bracket last year, which was the same number as in 2023.
Of those, three were granted certs in 2024.
Once the application is processed, a GRC is issued within two to three working days of the decision to grant being made.
In total, the number of applications for a GRC received by the Department of Social Protection in 2024 was 340.
The majority of those over 18 years who were granted certificates were for male-to-female recognition (192). A total of 174 of those were in the 18-30 age bracket.
The number of people over 18 years who were granted female-to-male certs was 142.
There were no female-to-male gender recognition certificates issued for those aged 16 and 17.
Female-to-male recognition was granted to three people in this age cohort.
Under section 8(3) of the Gender Recognition Act, the minister can decide to issue a gender recognition certificate or refuse to issue a gender recognition certificate.
Where a decision is made to refuse an application, the minister must inform the applicant of the reasons for the decision and inform the applicant of their right to appeal to the Circuit Family Court.
Last year ten applications of those over the age of 18 were refused certs, which was an increase of five compared to 2023.
One application was refused in the 16 to 17 age bracket last year.
The figures are contained in the ninth annual report which was published on the Department of Social Protection's website yesterday.
