Health Minister Stephen Donnelly has confirmed full public funding for a cycle of IVF for eligible couples from September. Both IVF and IUI treatments will be available under the expansion, but with strict access criteria.
Speaking to Northern Sound, Cavan Monaghan Fianna Fáil TD, Deputy Niamh Smyth highlighted how fertility can be a "very difficult" journey for some couples. She highlighted how these latest developments, mean that couples who have paid "vast amounts of money" for IVF in the past, can now avail of the treatment for free.
Deputy Smyth added that 3,000 couples in Ireland are now eligible to access the service. "This is very welcome news for couples and I would urge the Minister and particularly the Government to get the criteria out into the public domain as soon as possible.
"I don't want the hopes of couples raised who may not fit the criteria. As a public representative, I will be pushing that the criteria is kept as open and broad as possible so that as many couples as possible can avail, and access the treatment as well.
"It is certain, at this stage, that 3,000 couples will come through this and be able to access the scheme," said Deputy Smyth.
