State will fund fertility treatment says Varadkar

Fertility treatments for couples who are finding it difficult to have a baby naturally are to be publicly funded under new proposals to be announced by Health Minister Leo Varadkar today.

Currently, the treatments are only available privately from clinics at a cost of around €4,000 to €4,500 per course, pushing them out of the reach of many couples.

The minister said he will make fertility treatments available through the public health system under legislation to be published later this year.

The Department of Health is carrying out a review of how fertility treatments are funded in other countries - such as by the NHS in Britain - meaning that a scheme to relieve the financial burden attached to securing these treatments could be in place next year.

Around one in six couples have trouble conceiving. While there are a growing number of treatments available, they are expensive, particularly if several courses are needed before success.

The measure will be part of wider legislation covering various areas of assisted human reproduction, due to be published in the summer.

It will include the first bid to regulate assisted conception, including sperm and egg donation as well as surrogacy.