Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1082 to 1085, inclusive, together.

As the Deputy will be aware from my recent previous responses on this topic, a commitment to “introduce a publicly funded model of care for fertility treatment” is included in the Programme for Government.

‎The model of care for infertility was developed by the Department of Health in conjunction with the HSE’s National Women & Infants Health Programme (NWIHP) in order to ensure that infertility issues are addressed through the public health system at the lowest level of clinical intervention necessary.

‎‎This model of care comprises three stages, starting in primary care (i.e. GPs) and extending into secondary care (i.e. Regional Fertility Hubs) and then, where necessary, tertiary care (i.e. IVF, and other advanced assisted human reproduction (AHR) treatments), with patients being referred onwards through structured pathways.

Phase One of the roll-out of the model of care has involved the establishment, at secondary care level, of Regional Fertility Hubs within maternity networks, in order to facilitate the management of a significant proportion of patients presenting with infertility issues at this level of intervention. The completion of Phase One of the roll-out, envisaged before the end of this year, will result in fully operational Regional Fertility Hubs in each of the six Hospital Groups across the country.

Phase Two of the roll-out of the model of care will see the introduction of tertiary infertility services, including IVF, in the public health system. Substantial planning, development and policy work is required to establish the scope, design and requirements for this component of the model of care. At this juncture, the design and scope of this aspect of the model of care have not been finalised as detailed consideration of a range of issues including service and treatment design, eligibility and access criteria, and associated resource implications is required. This work will also need to be informed by the final Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Act, the progress of this Bill – which has passed Second Stage in the Dáil in March – and associated regulations that will be developed following the enactment of this legislation.

My officials are continuing engagement with the HSE in relation to the necessary programmes of work required to further advance consideration of the issues arising for commencing Phase Two of the roll-out of the model of care. This work will also include an examination of the costs associated with providing AHR services, including IVF, which will then allow us to model options and associated costings in more detail.