Johnny Mythen (Wexford, Sinn Fein)
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376. To ask the Minister for Health if a plan will be put forward to regulate the intracytoplasmic sperm medical sector taking into account the high cost and the high differential charges that couples face when going through the procedure. [27971/20]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy is 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.

Accordingly, 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 in this country, of a wide range of practices, including 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 and its subsequent passage through the Houses of the Oireachtas.  However, the enactment of the Bill is included in the Programme for Government.

Overall, the provisions outlined within the General Scheme will ensure that AHR practices and related areas of research are conducted in a more consistent and standardised way and with the necessary oversight.

The aim of the AHR legislation is to promote and ensure the health and safety of parents and others involved in the process while, most importantly, consideration of the welfare and best interests of children born as a result of AHR is the key principle underpinning the General Scheme.

Johnny Mythen (Wexford, Sinn Fein)
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377. To ask the Minister for Health if he will consider increasing the drugs payment scheme for intracytoplasmic sperm treatment. [27972/20]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.