Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 January 2026
945. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Health whether indicative timelines have been set for each remaining stage of consultation, decision making, and implementation required to expand the assisted human reproduction scheme; and if so, to provide these timelines; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5610/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra946. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Health the specific steps that remain outstanding in respect of the review required to expand the publicly funded assisted human reproduction scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5611/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 945 and 946 together.
The Model of Care for Fertility was developed by the Department of Health in conjunction with the HSE’s National Women & Infants Health Programme (NWIHP) 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 – including IVF (in-vitro fertilisation), ICSI (intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection) and IUI (intrauterine insemination) – commenced in September 2023, subject to patients meeting the criteria agreed by the Department and the HSE. In June 2025, an important criterion for accessing state-funded AHR treatment was broadened. Couples with one existing child in their relationship, and who meet all the other current access criteria, can now access publicly-funded AHR treatment.
As previously advised, the access criteria and the terms of the AHR treatment initiative are kept under ongoing review by the Department and NWIHP, who engage directly on a day-to-day basis in respect of operational matters both with their HSE colleagues in the Regional Fertility Hubs and with the HSE-approved private providers. Therefore, there are no definitive timelines set for any further potential changes to the access criteria or expansion of the initiative.
Finally, I want to again reassure the Deputy 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.
