Written answers

Thursday, 30 July 2020

Department of Health

Assisted Human Reproduction

Photo of Johnny MythenJohnny Mythen (Wexford, Sinn Fein)
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1418. To ask the Minister for Health if he will consider a review of the regulations for the intracytoplasmic sperm treatment process for young couples in view of the fact that the cost of such treatment is increasing and becoming unaffordable and is causing immense financial burden on couples who are desperate to have a child. [20765/20]

Photo of Johnny MythenJohnny Mythen (Wexford, Sinn Fein)
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1419. To ask the Minister for Health if he will take into account the financial burden young couples are facing due to unregulated treatment through the intracytoplasmic sperm treatment process; and if he will review the tax relief couples can claim for the cost of such treatment in line with the drugs payment scheme with a view to increasing these allowances, which would alleviate the high costs of such treatment. [20766/20]

Photo of Stephen DonnellyStephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1418 and 1419 together.

As the Deputy will be aware, currently there is no specific legislation in Ireland governing assisted human reproduction (AHR), although there is limited existing regulation relating to certain aspects of the AHR area.  

Given the lack of specific regulation in this area, the Government approved the drafting of a bill on AHR and associated areas of research, based on the published General Scheme of the Assisted Human Reproduction Bill.  This comprehensive and far-reaching piece of legislation encompasses the regulation, for the first time, of a wide range of practices, such as advanced AHR treatments like in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) and intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).  

The General Scheme also provides for the establishment of an independent regulatory authority for AHR, and a number of the main envisaged functions of this body relate to the licensing of AHR treatment providers and ensuring their compliance with the provisions of the legislation.  

The drafting of the Assisted Human Reproduction Bill is ongoing by my officials, in conjunction with the Office of the Attorney General.  It is not possible at this time to give definitive timelines for the completion of the draft Bill, its subsequent passage through the Houses of the Oireachtas, or its enactment.  However, the enactment of the Bill is included in the Programme for Government.  

Interlinked with the legislation, a model of care for infertility has been developed by my Department and the HSE, which will ensure that infertility issues will be addressed through the public health system at the lowest level of clinical intervention necessary.  It will comprise three stages, starting in primary care (i.e., GPs) and extending into secondary (i.e., Regional Fertility Hubs) and then, where necessary, tertiary care (i.e., IVF, ICSI and other advanced AHR treatments).  Structured referral pathways will be put in place and patients will be referred onwards for further investigations or treatment as required and as clinically appropriate. 

Phase One of the roll-out of the model of care is underway this year and has been focused on building up services at secondary level, specifically by the development of Regional Fertility Hubs.  It is intended that Phase Two of the roll-out will include the introduction of tertiary infertility services, including IVF and ICSI, in the public health system.

While AHR treatment is not currently funded by the Irish public health service, a defined list of fertility medicines needed for fertility treatment is covered under the High Tech Arrangements administered by the HSE.  Medicines covered by the High Tech Arrangements are prescribed by a consultant/specialist and the cost of the medicines is then covered by either a Medical Card or the Drugs Payment Scheme.  Given the costs associated with some fertility medicines, these schemes have a material impact on the total cost of AHR treatment for those who avail of them.  

Finally, and as referred to by the Deputy, there is other support available in that patients who access ICSI treatment privately may claim tax relief on the costs involved under the tax relief for medical expenses scheme.  Generally, this relief can be claimed at the standard tax rate of 20%.  Taxation policy overall is a matter for the Minister for Finance.

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