Press release from The Iona Institute

Government introducing commercial surrogacy by another name

“Reasonable expenses” can easily amount to commercial surrogacy

June 19, 2024 – A Bill that will allow surrogacy is currently before the Seanad. The Government tells us the Bill will not recognise commercial surrogacy, but in fact it will do so by allowing big payments to surrogate mothers under the heading “reasonable expenses”. This is sleight of hand on the part of the Government.

The scope of what constitutes “reasonable expenses” is extensive and could easily run into tens of thousands of euro as it does in other countries, such as Canada.

For example, the Bill permits compensation for any loss of income the surrogate mother might incur due to her pregnancy. This can include a period of up to six months around the time of birth. The period can be extended to 12 months if the surrogate is not able to work because of medical complications.

Moreover, the Bill allows for the reimbursement of pre-natal and post-natal medical expenses. The extent of these expenses can be substantial, encompassing everything from routine check-ups to more complex medical treatments and procedures. Given the high costs associated with reproductive medicine, these reimbursements alone could amount to significant sums.

The Bill includes allowances for various supportive services. Surrogates can be reimbursed for housekeeping or childcare services if they are unable to perform these tasks due to their pregnancy. Maternity clothing and pregnancy aids are similarly covered, further increasing the financial support provided to the surrogate.

Counselling services, both legal and psychological, are another category of “reasonable expenses”.

The cumulative effect of these allowances is that the surrogate mother could receive a large amount of money. This comprehensive financial coverage effectively transforms surrogacy arrangements that are presented as purely altruistic into something that provides significant financial benefits to the surrogate mother.

In Canada, a surrogate mother can receive between $18,000 and $35,000 in “reasonable expenses”, which is €12,000 to €24,000.

In conclusion, while the Bill claims to ban commercial surrogacy, it does nothing of the sort in practice. The Government is taking us for fools in this regard.

Commercial surrogacy is banned across Europe because it commodifies children and leaves low-income women open to exploitation. Some European countries ban surrogacy in all forms.

At most, a surrogate mother should be paid for out-of-pocket expenses, but once her income is replaced, that amounts to commercial surrogacy which we recognise very clearly when it happens in countries such as Ukraine.

ENDS