In Ireland, the legal framework surrounding gender recognition for minors, particularly concerning aspects like pronoun changes in schools, is evolving and can be complex. While there isn't a direct legal requirement for parental consent specifically for a school to use a child's preferred pronouns, the broader context of legal gender recognition for minors and parental rights is highly relevant [1] [2].

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For individuals aged 16 and 17 in Ireland, legal gender recognition, which includes updating official documents like birth certificates to reflect a preferred gender, requires parental or guardian consent and a court order [1] [2]. This process involves an adult (usually a parent or guardian) applying to the Circuit Family Court for an exemption from the over-18 age restriction. The court can grant this exemption if the minor has parental or guardian consent, and medical practitioners certify that the minor has the maturity and understanding to make this decision and has transitioned or is transitioning into their preferred gender [1]. While this specifically addresses legal gender recognition and not merely pronoun usage in a school setting, it highlights the significant role of parental consent in formal gender affirmation for minors in Ireland.

For younger children (under 16), it is not currently possible to legally change their gender in a way that is recognized by the State [1]. This implies that any formal recognition of a child's gender identity, including potentially through pronoun usage in schools, would likely fall under the purview of parental decision-making and school policies, rather than a specific legal mandate for schools to act without parental involvement.

It's important to note that while the Gender Recognition Act 2015 outlines the process for legal gender recognition, it does not explicitly detail guidelines for schools regarding pronoun usage for transgender students [1]. However, the general principle in Ireland, particularly for minors, is that parents hold significant responsibility for decisions concerning their children's upbringing, education, and welfare [3]. Therefore, it is highly probable that schools would seek parental consent or at least involve parents in discussions regarding a child's request to use different pronouns, especially if it signifies a social transition.

In contrast, draft guidelines issued in the UK in December 2023 suggest that schools should only support student pronoun changes in rare cases and that teachers should not be forced to use the pronouns chosen by students identifying as transgender [4]. These guidelines also emphasize that parents should be informed if their child requests a "social transition" at school, with authorities giving "great weight" to the views of parents [4]. While these are UK guidelines and not directly applicable to Ireland, they illustrate a broader discussion in some European countries regarding parental involvement and school policies on gender identity for minors [4].

In Ireland, organizations like BeLonG To and TENI provide support and resources for LGBTQ+ young people and their families, which can include guidance on social transitioning and navigating school environments [1] [2]. These organizations often advocate for supportive environments for trans youth, which would typically involve open communication and collaboration between the child, parents, and school.

In summary, while there isn't a specific law in Ireland mandating parental consent for schools to use a child's preferred pronouns, the legal framework for gender recognition for minors (16-17) requires parental consent and court approval for formal changes [1]. For younger children, parental involvement in decisions regarding their gender identity in school settings would be expected given parental rights and responsibilities [3].