Health Minister Stephen Donnelly has announced that the scope of the state-supported fertility treatment will be expanded. Since September of last year, the government has allocated a total of €30 million towards this scheme, with more than 400 couples being recommended so far for such treatments in private facilities.
During the launch of Women’s Health Action Plan 2024-2025 on Thursday, Mr Donnelly highlighted that the state has referred over 400 couples for fertility treatments in private establishments. He inferred that the use of private clinics is a necessary measure until public facilities can be adequately developed, and as such, the first publicly-financed human-assisted reproduction centre should be operational by the start of 2025.
Mr Donnelly continued to elaborate on the ambitious €30 million ring-fenced budget for the scheme’s first year and the challenges in predicting the numbers of referrals. Based on expert advice, a cautious approach has been adopted to ensure all referrals can be adequately addressed.
Current rules dictate that individuals with a BMI rate beyond the range of 18.5-30, those who have undertaken more than one cycle of IVF treatment, women over the age of 40, and men below the age of 60 are not eligible for the scheme. Mr Donnelly specified that this year will be a period of evaluation to ensure appropriate referrals are made before decisions on changes to the BMI, age and multiple funding rounds eligibility criteria are made following an expert group assessment.
In exploring the eligibility criteria in some European countries, Mr Donnelly admitted that current requirements stand at the lower end. He explained that the thoughtful approach is due to the scheme being in its infancy, with a view to expanding the criteria in the coming year following an expert review.
The recently introduced women’s health action agenda will encompass measures specifically aimed at enhancing the bone and heart health of women in their middle ages or beyond. Additionally, it includes the formulation of a comprehensive plan to eradicate cervical cancer. Rachel Kenna, the senior nursing officer who also serves as the co-director of the women’s health team, asserted that their priorities for this initiative were determined through intensive consultations with women. The chosen focus areas have since received substantial funding.