Advertisement

Readers like you keep news free for everyone.

More than 5,000 readers have already pitched in to keep free access to The Journal.

For the price of one cup of coffee each week you can help keep paywalls away.

Support us today
Not now
Friday 1 December 2023 Dublin: 1°C
Shutterstock/Fabrizio Misson
Your Say

Poll: Should the government fund IVF treatment?

Ireland currently does not offer public funding towards IVF.

TWO SENATORS HAVE called for the government to make good on its promise to fund IVF treatment. 

Writing in TheJournal.ie today, Catherine Ardagh and Fiona O’Loughlin have called for the delivery of free IVF treatments in public hospitals. 

Ireland is the only country in Europe not to offer state funding for assisted reproduction, and those in need of IVF find themselves having to pay between €6,000 and €10,000 per cycle. 

The government has committed to offering the fertility treatment publicly under the Programme for Government. At present, fertility drugs are only covered by the drugs payment or medical card schemes, while private patients can claim some tax relief. 

In answer to a recent parliamentary question, the health minister said this support “is not insignificant” to the overall cost of assisted reproduction treatments. 

So, what do you think: Should the government fund IVF treatment?


Poll Results:

Yes (6989)
No (4142)
Not sure (1170)



The Noteworthy team wants to investigate if the delay in publicly funding IVF has destroyed people’s chance to have children. Support this project here.

Your Voice
Readers Comments
119
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

    Leave a commentcancel