Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 November 2025
1026. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Health the measures her Department is taking to expand access to IVF for individuals with a condition (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63104/25]
View answerThe Model of Care for Fertility was developed by the Department of Health in conjunction with the HSE’s National Women & Infants Health Programme to ensure that fertility-related issues are addressed through the public health system at the lowest level of clinical intervention necessary.
Referrals for publicly-funded, privately-provided assisted human reproduction (AHR) treatment commenced in September 2023, subject to patients meeting the criteria agreed by the Department and the HSE. The access criteria were developed by a multi-disciplinary group, with reproductive medicine expertise and followed consultation with experts in the field along with a review of the international evidence. These criteria are in keeping with those applied in other jurisdictions.
The clinical parameters of the access criteria include an assessment of as age, body mass index (BMI) and other health and well-being elements.
The clinical parameters of BMI were reviewed and determined in the context of both the potential success of the advanced fertility treatment but also the health and well-being of the intending birth mother and any resultant pregnancy, inclusive of the management of maternity care, delivery and health of a child. While it is recognised that there may be medical conditions which contribute to a high BMI, the access criteria do not offer exemptions for AHR referrals.
Up to 10 November 2025, over 3,300 couples have been referred by a Reproductive Specialist Consultant for AHR treatment, following extensive investigations and/or secondary level treatment within the Regional Fertility Hubs. Furthermore, the Hubs have successfully and directly managed thousands more patients presenting with fertility-related issues who have been referred by their GP. Not all couples experiencing fertility challenges actually require such advanced and invasive interventions as IVF.
In this regard, it is important to note that the access criteria for public patients to avail of services provided at a Regional Fertility Hub are less stringent than those required to be met in order to avail of free AHR treatment. For example, the maximum BMI for a woman to access services at a Hub is 35.0 kg/m2, instead of 30.0 kg/m2.
Therefore, it is advised that if a couple is experiencing fertility challenges, and they meet the access criteria for care and management at Regional Fertility Hub level, then they should seek a referral from their GP. Each Regional Fertility Hub is positioned to provide a suite of investigations and tests free of charge and can commence working with the couple to identify next appropriate clinical steps, many of which may be available within the Hub itself or by means of a referral to another public service.
The access criteria and the terms of the AHR treatment initiative are being kept under ongoing review. Further potential changes to the access criteria or expansion of the initiative requires continued extensive consultation between Department officials, colleagues in the HSE, and also with relevant specialists in the field of reproductive medicine. This will include consideration of additional funding requirements which may ensue from any proposed expansion of the initiative.
I want to reassure you that my Department and the Government are focused, through the full implementation of the Model of Care for Fertility, on ensuring that patients receive care at the appropriate level of clinical intervention and then those requiring, and eligible for, advanced AHR treatment such as IVF will be able to access same through the most effective deployment of finite public resources.
