Extension of IVF funding in Budget 2025 a significant support to prospective parents – Seery Kearney

The extension of free IVF treatment announced in today’s Budget for 2025 will provide a pathway to prospective parents that may not otherwise have been an option, a Fine Gael Senator has said.

Senator Mary Seery Kearney, Fine Gael General Election candidate for Dublin South Central and Seanad spokesperson on Children, Disability, Equality, Integration and Youth said that the cost of fertility treatment is prohibitive in many instances such that couples are unable to access treatment.

Senator Seery Kearney said: “Today’s announcement that IVF funding for couples is to be extended represents a lifeline to the many who have been yearning to become parents for a long time. Infertility is a very distressing situation to be in and this vital support from Government is to be welcomed and acknowledged.

“It’s important to note that while there are criteria for full IVF support, couples outside of that criteria can still access supported fertility services for investigative purposes regardless of meeting the criteria or not. This is also an excellent support to many who cannot otherwise access these supports were they to pay for them themselves.

“To date publicly funded treatments have been carried out in private facilities, with patients being referred for treatment from one of the 6 Regional Fertility Hubs located across the county. This should be extended to public clinics in 2025 when the Health (Human Assisted Reproduction) Act is commenced and I will be working to ensure this happens.”