Delays in State-funded fertility treatments could threaten people's chances of starting a family

Those who are eligible for the scheme are referred to one of six fertility hubs, three of which are located in Dublin.

The strict eligibility criteria states, among other requirements, that couples must be in a relationship for at least a year and have previously undergone no more than one previous IVF cycle. Women must be aged 40 or younger and have a BMI of 18.5 - 30.

Once a couple is referred to a fertility hub by their GP, they must complete a detailed health questionnaire before undergoing a suite of fertility-related investigations. The HSE says these tests will ordinarily take place within six weeks of receiving the completed forms.

Some couples may be treated in the fertility hub through surgical or medical management, while those requiring advanced fertility treatment will be referred to a consultant with these appointments aimed to be provided within six to eight weeks.

A patient must be seen by a consultant before they can be referred to a private clinic for IVF treatment.

While the HSE says there is no "average" wait time as every person will be different, its website says it can take up to three months to be seen by a specialist in a fertility hub.

However, when the Irish Examiner queried the current wait times, the Rotunda Hospital in Dublin said it currently has a nine-month wait to see the consultants at the fertility hub.

The National Maternity Hospital in Dublin quoted a wait of up to four months while the Coombe said the waiting period is currently around four  to four and a half months.

The hub located at Cork University Maternity Hospital said many couples will be seen by a consultant within between four to five months with a maximum wait time of six months.

The Nenagh Hospital hub was unable to provide a wait time for the full process but said the wait from referral to a consultant and the first appointment is up to two months.

Galway University Hospital reported a three-month wait.

The National Infertility Support and Information Group (NISIG) said it has seen a rise in the number of people contacting them stressed and frustrated due to the unexpected delays in treatment.

The significant disparities in the system less than a year into the scheme which is in its first — very focused — phase, is a cause for concern, said NISIG chairwoman Catríona Fitzpatrick.

Any delay in treatment is a real issue when it comes to fertility, which all those involved in delivering the service will be aware of.

The HSE told the Irish Examiner that it is aware of some delays to original access times and said it is working with all six hubs to resolve any issues, including challenges in recruitment.

It said there was an anticipated higher level of referrals in the early months as the service was new but it expects the monthly number of referrals to stabilise leading to improved access times.

Approximately 2,000 people have been referred by a GP to the six regional hubs since applications opened in September 2023. Of these, over 700 patients have been referred to one of the HSE approved Assisted Human Reproduction (AHR) private providers.

The recent passing of the AHR Act has allowed for a widening of the criteria meaning that there is likely to be an increase in the number of people seeking to avail of the scheme.

Concerns were raised last year that funding may need to be increased for the programme to keep up with the demand.

For the initial three-month period of the scheme, €10 million was allocated in the Budget with a further €20 million provided in Budget 2024 for the period of January to August.

The HSE said that full year allocation for the service on an ongoing basis is €30 million per annum.

Ms Fitzpatrick said those hoping to avail of the scheme will be hoping to see an increase in funding in October's Budget.

The situation has reached a point where people who meet all of the criteria for public funding are choosing to go to a private clinic.

That really undermines the whole premise for introducing public funding in the first place.

"We don't want to see people having to make choices such as taking out a loan, when they are eligible for publicly funded treatment."

One in six heterosexual couples experience fertility problems with infertility designated as a medical condition by the World Health Organization.

The most affordable option for an IVF cycle in Ireland privately is around €4,000 with most paying around €6,000.