Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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151. To ask the Minister for Health the rationale for including a clause setting an age limit of 47 years of age for women to receive treatment in the Assisted Human Reproduction Bill 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49527/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The General Scheme of the Assisted Human Reproduction Bill aims to promote and ensure the health and safety of parents, and children born as a result of assisted human reproduction (AHR) treatment, as well as other parties who may be involved such as donors and surrogates. In this regard consideration of the welfare and best interests of children born through AHR is a key principle underpinning the Scheme. The wellbeing of women involved in AHR procedures also requires special attention, as women are the main recipients of such interventions due to their biological role in pregnancy and childbirth.

The General Scheme sets out specific criteria for the provision of AHR treatment. In addition, the Scheme states that the AHR treatment provider would have to consider the welfare of the child in making the final decision whether or not to provide AHR treatment.

Those providing AHR treatment need to make a clinical assessment of any prospective patient and ensure that AHR treatment does not represent a disproportionate risk to the health of the patient or to the health of any potential child. Female age is one of the main factors affecting the outcome of AHR and a woman’s ability to conceive a child inevitably reduces with age. In light of these considerations, the General Scheme sets an upper age limit of 47 years for women for the provision of AHR treatment.