Assisted human reproduction funding
Deputy Breathnach raised promised legislation on IVF and assisted human reproduction, and the need for financial help for couples who cannot afford treatment. The Tánaiste said the Bill was still in pre-legislative scrutiny and would have to come back on the funding point.
Promised legislation is due before the House on in vitro fertilisation and assisted human reproduction availability. We all know that at present, private patients who can afford it can avail of services. One in four couples in this country struggle to have children and the cost of treatment is excessive and prohibitive for many. I am well aware that income tax relief can be claimed for this treatment. However, in the interim a commitment was given by both the Minister and the Taoiseach that money would be set aside to help childless couples in particular to avail of the services. This was promised in the first quarter of 2019. When will that service be available to those anxious couples?
Comment on this
The assisted human reproductive Bill I understand is still undergoing pre-legislative scrutiny, so we are anxious to move that forward as soon as we can.
Comment on this
Money was promised in this respect.