The Minister for Health, Leo Varadkar, has confirmed this morning that he and the government fully intend on making fertility treatments available under the public health system.
It is believed that Mr Varadkar will introduce a new legislation later this year that will see will the HSE covering the costs of fertility treatments which are currently only available at private clinics. The move will likely be seen as a welcome step by those who are currently trying to start a family, as it currently costs in the region of €4,000 for fertility treatment here. Mr Varadkar has said he is fully aware of the financial strain this places on those in need of assistance and has accepted that many couples wishing to start a family have been forced to go abroad in order to avail of less expensive treatment.
The Health Minister said: “The ability to conceive a child naturally is a normal human expectation and a diagnosis of infertility can be a source of emotional distress, physical discomfort and financial hardship,”he acknowledged. “I believe it is important that we should consider how best to provide public funding for fertility treatment in tandem with closing the current legislative gap in this area of healthcare.”
Mr Varadkar explained that the Department of Health is currently exploring other countries fertility treatment options, before stating: “Fertility treatments should be funded in such a way that not only maximises efficiency but which ensures equity of access as well.” “The provision of public funding for assisted human reproduction must be accompanied by a robust system of legal governance which will promote and protect the health and well-being of patients and most especially the children who will be born as a result of the treatment.”