Fertility patients in Ireland concerned about public funding rollout

Over half of Irish fertility patients who have already started treatment would consider delaying further fertility treatment until public funding is rolled out, a survey by a private clinic has shown.

Despite €10 million of public funding for fertility treatment to be rolled out this year being announced by the Irish Government in September 2022, details around its delivery remain unclear. The Irish Health Service Executive has previously announced plans to use private providers to deliver publicly-funded fertility treatment from September 2023, until public services are scheduled to start in 2024, the Irish Examiner reported.

Mikey O'Brien, group clinic director of Sims IVF which carried out the survey said, 'There is great deal of uncertainty around the rollout of funding for IVF and potential patients are concerned about if, when and how this public funding model will be implemented. They want to know what will be covered and what won't, so they can make informed decisions about their treatment.'

Sims IVF, a private fertility clinic with a number of sites across Ireland, ran the survey in March 2023. Over 1000 people responded, including current and past fertility patients as well as those who have not yet received treatment.

As well as voicing plans to delay treatment, respondents also voiced concerns over eligibility. A total of 85 percent of respondents were concerned about how many cycles of IVF would be funded, and 83 percent were concerned about age limits being placed on eligibility. Over half had concerns BMI would be used to determine eligibility and 40 percent were concerned about access for single women and LGBTQI+ individuals.

Senator Mary Seery Kearney, a member of the Seanad Eireann who has previously publicly shared her personal experiences with IVF said: 'The results of the survey demonstrate a significant level of anxiety amongst those in need of IVF.  It is important that there is meaningful engagement by the Minister for Health and representative groups to reassure them that the eligibility and access to funding will be broad and inclusive.

'The Minister has consistently stated that funding must be preceded by the Assisted Human Reproduction Bill coming into law, this has been paused at committee stage for over a year now, and so it must advance through the Houses of the Oireachtas as a matter of urgency.'

The Irish AHR Bill is thought likely to be passed into law in 2023, although some aspects of the legislation remain contentious to some in the field (see BioNews 1186).