‘The government’s IVF expansion marks progress, but much more needs to be done’

Sophie Collins

There is still ‘a lot of work to be done’ in Ireland when it comes available fertility treatment

That’s according to the National infertility Support and Information Group, who acknowledged that “significant progress” has been made in recent years, but more needs to be done.

It’s National Fertility Week and so the organisation is trying to raise much-needed awareness about fertility in Ireland.

NISIG Chairperson, Catriona Fitzpatrick, spoke to Newstalk this morning and said the recent government move to expand the criteria for people who want to avail of free IVF was a step in the right direction.

However, “there’s still progress to be made and a lot of work to be done,” Catriona Fitzpatrick said.

“In particular, around access to publicly funded IVF treatments. This was rolled out this time last year; we would like to see the criteria for that widened and this was announced as part of the budget.

“We’re really keen now to see further details around that.”

She went on to say that the government does “deserve to be recognised” for the progress it has made in recent years on the topic of fertility.

“A recently released fertility atlas from Fertility Europe shows that Ireland has moves to 12 out of 49 countries when it comes to fertility policy.

“That is a significant improvement; our previous number was 40.”

Budget fertility announcement

In Budget 2025, government made significant strides in expanding its public funding for in vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment

This move was part of a broader effort to make fertility treatments more accessible and inclusive for a wider range of people in Ireland.

This expansion was monumental in several ways.

Secondary infertility, where couples face challenges with conceiving after already having one child, has often been overlooked.

For many, the assumption that having had one child negates the emotional and financial toll of fertility struggles later in life is not only inaccurate but has also led to limited support options.

By addressing secondary infertility, the government recognised the valid challenges these couples face, ensuring they are not left behind in the vital conversation about reproductive health.

Another critical inclusion in this policy change was the provision of public funding for those who need donor assistance to have a baby.

This includes couples or single people who need donated eggs, sperm, or embryos, and is a treatment path that has typically been very expensive and out of reach for many in Ireland.

By expanding this funding to cover donor-assisted reproduction, it showed the state is taking a more progressive stance on reproductive rights and is acknowledging the different paths to parenthood that people may need help with.

Now that these improvements have been made, organisations are calling for the next necessary steps to be taken.