Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
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176. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide fertility treatment for couples free of charge on the first occasion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9012/16]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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On Monday 1 February, I announced my intention to provide public funding for assisted human reproduction (AHR) treatment in conjunction with the planned introduction of legislation in this area. It is important that consideration be given to how best to provide public funding for fertility treatment in conjunction with closing the legislative gap in this area of healthcare. To that end, my officials are currently drafting a General Scheme of legislative provisions dealing with AHR.

I have commissioned an evidence review of international public funding models. The review will inform policy regarding the ideal mechanism for any future public funding of AHR in the State. It is expected that the evidence review will be completed before the end of 2016 and that once the AHR legislation is enacted the Government will be in a position to provide fertility treatments based on the best model of funding for Ireland.

It is important to note that while in vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment is not provided by the Irish public health service, there is some support available in that 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.