Funding concerns as 127 couples referred for fertility treatment since September
Concerns have been raised about the infertility treatment budget for 2024. Picture: /iStock
Increased funding could be needed for public infertility programmes next year as new figures show 127 couples have been referred for advanced treatment since late September, advocates urged.
Concerns have been raised about the annual budget for 2024, with advocates noting the initial demand shows there may be a need for greater funding from the Government.
Some €30m has been allocated to the service in 2024, a HSE spokesperson said.
“€10m [was] allocated in Budget 2023 for the period September to December, and a further €20m in Budget 2024 to cover the period January to August. Full year allocation for the service on an ongoing basis is €30m per annum.
“€30m is the allocation for the full year of 2024, effectively €10m from 2023 plus an additional €20m in 2024," said the spokesperson.
Caitriona Fitzpatrick, National Infertility Support and Information Group chair, said it has been “a slow and steady start” so far.
“There is really limited State-funded IVF; this is a very limited scheme and the criteria is very strict,” she said.
“This is not a fully-funded scheme for everyone to be able to access. We’d like to see the criteria reviewed once they have six months of data.”
They expect this year’s funding to be fully spent.
“We are also expecting the criteria for access to publicly-funded IVF to be expanded next year when the new [Assisted Human Reproduction] legislation is passed. Therefore provision for increased funding may be required for 2024.”
The programme starts with a GP referral to a regional assessment hub with potential for further referral to a private clinic.
“127 couples have been referred for advanced fertility treatment including IUI, IVF, or ICSI,” the HSE said, up to December 1.
“The IVF programme has a number of steps, starting with interaction with a GP who can then refer the couple to one of six regional assessment hubs. On average 400 referrals are being received each month across the hubs.”
Once a referral is received, couples are sent a questionnaire. It takes about 12 weeks from return of completed forms to seeing a specialist, following investigations by nurse specialists.
It is expected that about 50% of couples in the hubs can be treated there.
