Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 March 2021
983. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if he will review correspondence (details supplied); if issues raised can be covered in new legislation being brought forward on IVF in Dáil Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12028/21]
View answerDrafting 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, is ongoing by officials in my Department, in conjunction with the Office of the Attorney General. The publication of the AHR Bill is a priority for my Department and the Government, and a commitment to enact this legislation is included in the Programme for Government, “Our Shared Future”.
Part 5 of the General Scheme provides for PGD and sex selection (for medical purposes) in the context of AHR treatment, which are permitted provided certain criteria are fulfilled. The AHR Regulatory Authority will be responsible for creating and maintaining a list of diseases for which PGD and sex selection will be permitted.
Separately, and in the context of funding for PGD, as raised by the Deputy, a commitment to introduce the model of care for infertility, which was developed by officials in my Department in conjunction with the HSE’s National Women & Infants Health Programme, is included in the Programme for Government, “Our Shared Future”. This model of care will ensure that infertility issues will be addressed through the public health system at the lowest level of clinical intervention necessary.
It comprises of three stages, starting in primary care (i.e., GPs) and extending into secondary care (i.e., Regional Fertility Hubs) and then, where necessary, tertiary care (i.e., IVF and other advanced AHR treatments). Structured referral pathways will be put in place and patients will be referred onwards for further investigations or treatment as required and as clinically appropriate. It is intended that, in line with available resources, this model of care for infertility will be rolled out on a phased basis over the course of the coming years.
