Éamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:356. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health his plans to provide free IVF treatment to those who have a medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15427/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 2 April 2019
Ceisteanna (356)
Freagraí scríofa
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. The process of drafting this Bill will be completed in conjunction with the Office of the Attorney General. In addition, the Joint Committee on Health is currently conducting a review of the General Scheme of the Assisted Human Reproduction Bill 2017 as part of the pre-legislative scrutiny process, which began in January of last year. The review is ongoing and the Joint Committee intends to report thereon before the summer recess. However, it is not possible at this time to give a definitive timeline for the completion of the draft Bill and its subsequent passage through the Houses of the Oireachtas.
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 for a €1 million fund for use in relation to providing public AHR treatment during 2019 that was announced by the Taoiseach in December 2018.
The development of a model of care for infertility will help to ensure the provision of safe, effective and accessible services through the public health system as part of the full range of services available in obstetrics and gynaecology. Once the funding proposals have been submitted and approved by Government, there will be an announcement regarding the commencement of this fund. As such no specific decision has been made at this time in relation to the parameters of any potential public funding model, including what eligibility criteria may be included.
While AHR treatment is not currently funded by the Irish Public Health Service there is some support available in that patients who access IVF treatment privately may claim tax relief on the costs involved under the tax relief for medical expenses scheme. In addition, a defined list of fertility medicines needed for fertility treatment is covered under the High Tech Arrangements administered by the HSE. Medicines covered by the High Tech Arrangements must be prescribed by a consultant/specialist and authorised for supply to the client’s nominated community pharmacy by the High Tech Hub managed by the Primary Care Reimbursement Service. The cost of the medicines is then covered, as appropriate, under the client’s eligibility i.e. Medical Card or Drugs Payment Scheme.