Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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1992. To ask the Minister for Health if consideration has been given to address the current laws on fertility treatment, egg freezing, IVF and surrogacy in Ireland (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59567/25]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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1993. To ask the Minister for Health if consideration is being given to provide financial support or coverage for medically necessary fertility preservation (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59568/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1992 and 1993 together.

Fertility preservation services are currently provided through the public health system in cases where a cancer diagnosis has been made. The Health Service Executive (HSE) provides a publicly-funded, privately-provided fertility preservation care pathway for both men and women whose cancer treatment is likely to affect their fertility. On average, approximately 100 female and 200 male patients avail of this service per annum.

There has been high-level engagement between the HSE and the Department of Health to examine how best to expand comprehensive and sustainable fertility preservation services to potentially include other cohorts of patients whose treatment – whether related to a cancer diagnosis, or otherwise – is very likely to impact on their fertility.

The work has included consideration of a report produced by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) on such publicly-funded services in other countries, and potential interactions with relevant provisions in the assisted human reproduction (AHR) legislation.

As set out above, this area is under active review and it is envisaged that next steps can be agreed upon and implemented as soon as practicable.

Supports available to patients who access AHR treatment privately include tax relief on the costs involved which can be claimed 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 Arrangements administered by the HSE. Medicines covered by the High Tech Arrangements must be prescribed by a consultant/specialist and authorised for supply to the client’s nominated community pharmacy by the High Tech Hub. The cost of the medicines is then covered, as appropriate, under the client’s eligibility, i.e., the Medical Card or Drugs Payment Scheme.