Brendan Ryan (Dublin North, Labour)
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382. To ask the Minister for Health the entitlements and supports available from the Health Service Executive for persons seeking to avail of in vitro fertilisation. [36761/14]

Brendan Ryan (Dublin North, Labour)
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383. To ask the Minister for Health the way the provision of in vitro fertilisation through the Health Service Executive compares with the provision under the National Health Service in the United Kingdom. [36762/14]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 382 and 383 together.

In vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment is not provided by the Irish public health system. Patients who access IVF treatment privately may claim tax relief on the costs involved under the tax relief for medical expenses scheme. In addition, a defined list of fertility medicines needed for fertility treatment is covered under the High Tech Scheme administered by the Health Service Executive (HSE). Medicines covered by the High Tech Scheme must be prescribed by a consultant/specialist and approved by the HSE ‘High Tech Liaison Officers’. The cost of the medicines is then covered, as appropriate, under the Medical Card or Drugs Payment Scheme.

In the UK fertility treatment can be accessed privately where the full cost is borne by the couple/person or through the NHS in which case funding is available subject to certain criteria being met. NHS funding can cover the costs of in vitro fertilisation (IVF) or intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection. The number of cycles available varies from region to region across the UK. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) published a guideline on fertility treatment in 2004, which was updated in February 2013. The guideline covers what levels of funding should be available throughout England and Wales. Decision making on the amount of funding is made at a local level by Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs). Some CCGs in England fund one cycle, some two, and others three cycles. There are a few CCGs who do not fund IVF or ICSI at all. The Expert Advisory Group on Infertility in Scotland (EAGISS) published a guideline on the care of infertile couples in February 2000. Those who meet the eligibility criteria can receive a maximum of three cycles of treatment. In Northern Ireland, qualifying couples have access to one cycle of publicly funded treatment.

The Deputy may be interested to know that my Department has undertaken a significant amount of work in relation to the area of assisted human reproduction (AHR), which has included a comprehensive analysis of best practice in other jurisdictions. On the basis of this work, a detailed set of evidenced-based policy proposals has been prepared. These proposals deal with the regulation of AHR practices, and eligibility and access to AHR services. It is my intention to bring a memorandum for Government seeking approval to draft a General Scheme for AHR in the near future.