Micheál Martin
Question:956. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health if LGBTQI+ couples will be able to access IVF through the €1 million fund announced in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19688/19]
View answerWednesday, 8 May 2019
Questions (956)
Written answers
In October 2017, the Government approved the drafting of a Bill on assisted human reproduction (AHR) and associated areas of research, based on the published General Scheme of the Assisted Human Reproduction Bill. The Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health is currently conducting a review of the General Scheme as part of the pre-legislative scrutiny process, which began in January of last year. The Joint Committee intends to report thereon before the summer recess and the recommendations in its report will be considered during the ongoing process of drafting this Bill in conjunction with the Office of the Attorney General.
Interlinked with the legislation, officials in my Department, in conjunction with the HSE, are developing a model of care for infertility and an associated public fund for AHR. This work includes developing proposals on the allocation of a €1 million fund for use in relation to providing public AHR treatment which was announced in December 2018.
A key principle which will inform all relevant decisions in this respect is that, subject to certain conditions, access to funding for IVF or other AHR treatments will be available to people irrespective of gender, marital status or sexual orientation.