There have been more than 400 referrals for State-funded fertility treatment to date, as Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly said eligibility for the scheme will be expanded.
Since last September, the Government has provided funding totalling €30 million for the year for procedures like IVF. The average success rate per cycle of IVF is about one in three but this varies greatly by age. IVF often creates ‘spare’ embryos that are often left frozen indefinitely or are destroyed.
Speaking at the unveiling of the Women’s Health Action Plan 2024-2025 on Thursday, Mr Donnelly said the participants had been referred to private clinics for the State-funded treatments.
He added the use of private centres was necessary until a public service could be built up.
