Expansion to free IVF scheme to allow couples with a child to access treatment [Video]

HEALTH MINISTER STEPHEN Donnelly is to announce an expansion to the free IVF scheme to allow couples who already have a child to access treatment as part of the Budget.

It will reverse one element of the scheme’s current criteria which requires that a couple accessing publicly funded IVF must have no living children together.

There are plans to expand the scheme in two areas next year. The first of these will allow couples requiring donor assistance to access the scheme during 2025.

Health Minister to announce expansion to free IVF scheme to allow couples with an existing child to access treatment. One element of the current criteria sets out that a couple accessing publicly funded IVF must have no living children together.

— Christina Finn (@christinafinn8) October 1, 2024

At present couples who require a donor egg or sperm are unable to access publicly funded IVF because donor materials are not regulated.

But the government is …