Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 September 2017
380. Deputy Seán Barrett asked the Minister for Health if he will give consideration to funding an IVF scheme for couples who both carry the cystic fibrosis gene which would remove the CF gene before conception (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39114/17]
View answer391. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a campaign by an organisation (details supplied) for an IVF scheme for couples with the cystic fibrosis gene; his plans to provide supports for those persons undergoing IVF and associated treatments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39171/17]
View answer443. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if consideration has been or will be given to the funding of an IVF scheme to eliminate the cystic fibrosis gene for couples affected by this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39451/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 380, 391 and 443 together.
As the Deputies may be aware, in February 2016, the Health Research Board (HRB) was engaged to conduct a comprehensive review of international public funding models for assisted human reproduction (AHR). The completed HRB evidence review was published in March of this year on both the Department of Health’s and the HRB's websites.
This evidence review examines the public funding mechanisms for AHR in different countries. The review looks at the associated costs and benefits for the funder, provider and patient, the criteria for accessing the public funded service and the basis for these criteria in different jurisdictions. The review does not indicate a recommendation or preference for a specific funding model or for eligibility criteria for accessing funding; rather it outlines the pros and cons of such funding models, the different aspects of models in different jurisdictions, as well as the different rationales underpinning such funding models.
An analysis of the HRB evidence review will feed into the development of policy options for a potential public funding model for AHR treatment. It should be noted that any funding model that might ultimately be introduced would need to operate within the broader regulatory framework relating to AHR.
Work on the General Scheme of an AHR Bill is well advanced in my Department and this comprehensive piece of legislation will encompass the regulation of a range of practices, including pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) of embryos. I consider the AHR legislation and the development of policy on public funding for AHR treatment to be a priority for 2017.
