Assisted Human Reproduction

Dáil Éireann Debate, Friday - 6 September 2019

Friday, 6 September 2019

Ceisteanna (887, 912, 1175, 1208)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

887. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of funding for IVF (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35121/19]

Brian Stanley

Ceist:

912. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the status of the IVF funding set aside (details supplied). [35210/19]

Niamh Smyth

Ceist:

1175. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the financial assistance established for families that need to undergo IVF treatment as in the case of a person (details supplied). [36067/19]

Thomas Pringle

Ceist:

1208. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health if and when funding will be provided for patients who wish to undergo a course of IVF treatment here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36285/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 887, 912, 1175 and 1208 together.

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 published the report of its review of the General Scheme on 11 July 2019, as part of the pre-legislative scrutiny process, which began in January 2018. The Committee makes 11 main recommendations, which include proposals both related to broad policy objectives and more technical amendments. Given the comprehensive scope of the legislation and the ethical, legal and social issues which arise from AHR practices, it is anticipated that certain areas of the General Scheme will require further consideration and refinement during the ongoing process of drafting the bill. The Joint Committee's Report and its recommendations will be considered as part of this process.

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 the €1 million fund for use in relation to AHR which was announced in December 2018.

Accordingly, options in relation to the parameters of any potential public funding model, including what eligibility criteria may be included, are still under consideration, and an announcement will be forthcoming once the relevant decisions have been finalised.

It should be noted that while AHR treatment is not currently funded by the Irish Public Health Service, 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.

I understand that the impact on the total cost of AHR treatment for individuals who avail of these schemes is not insignificant.

In addition, there is other 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.

Overall, 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.