Press Release: Monday 30 June 2025
Minister for Health announces expansion eligibility of access criteria for state-funded Assisted Human Reproduction treatments
The Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD has announced updated access criteria for state-funded assisted human reproduction treatment. From today, couples with one existing child in their relationship, and who meet all other current access criteria, can now access publicly-funded AHR treatment including one full cycle of in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) or intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).
Minister Carroll MacNeill said:
“Since we introduced publicly-funded Assisted Human Reproduction (AHR) treatment in September 2023, close to 2,500 couples have been referred by Reproductive Specialist Consultants, and many have achieved their dream of starting a family.
Fertility issues can be devastating, and I am conscious that secondary infertility is a significant issue, with many people facing huge financial and emotional difficulties in their attempts to have a second child. I have listened to the requests from parents in this difficult situation, and I am pleased that we are now in a position to make this potentially life-changing treatment available to more people.
With effect from June 30, 2025, the current access criteria will be extended to include couples with one existing child in their relationship.”
An extensive programme of work is ongoing in order to progress the legislation necessary to underpin AHR and to establish a regulatory authority. The Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Act 2024 was signed into law by the President in July 2024. Its purpose is to regulate fertility clinics providing treatment such as in-vitro fertilisation and ensure that assisted human reproduction (AHR) practices and related areas of research are conducted in a more consistent and standardised way and with the necessary oversight.
Work is also well underway on a supplementary Bill to deal with issues such as parentage and citizenship in respect of surrogacy arrangements as well as donor-assisted conception.
Minister Carroll MacNeill said:
“We are making significant progress in relation to AHR legislation, and formal drafting of the Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) (Amendment) Bill is nearing completion. Officials at my Department are working closely with officials at the Department of Justice and the Department of Children to finalise the Bill. Intensive work is underway to publish this legislation as soon as is practical.
“One critical piece in the AHR jigsaw is the establishment of a Regulatory Authority. Good progress has been made in relation to the establishment of the Assisted Human Reproduction Regulatory Authority. The recent campaign for appointment to State Boards has now closed and suitable candidates have been identified. I hope to be in a position to make appointments to the Board very soon. The recruitment campaign for the Chief Executive Officer of the AHRRA is also underway, and we will soon reach another important milestone when we announce the successful candidate for this role.”