There have been more than 400 referrals for State-funded fertility treatment [1] 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 [2]. 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.