HSE Assisted Human Reproduction services
- Introduction
- Applying for the HSE Assisted Human Reproduction service
- Who can get free AHR services from the HSE?
- More information
Introduction
Getting pregnant can be a challenge for some people. You can read our overview page about fertility treatments and assisted human reproduction in Ireland.
Since 25 September 2023, you can apply to get free assisted human reproduction services (including IVF) from the Health Service Executive (HSE) at a HSE-approved private fertility clinic of your choice. Free fertility treatment through the HSE is not means tested.
If you are not eligible for this service, your family doctor (GP) may refer you to a private specialist or clinic, or you may be able to contact a clinic directly for an appointment.
What assisted reproduction treatments are available from the HSE?
The free treatments available from the HSE include:
- Intrauterine insemination (IUI)
- In vitro fertilisation (IVF)
- Intracyctoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)
You can find more detailed information in theHSE Assisted Human Reproduction Services Information Booklet.
Applying for the HSE Assisted Human Reproduction service
Step 1: Referral to Regional Fertility Hub
If you have fertility difficulties, you will need to meet certain criteria to get a referral from your GP or consultant to a Regional Fertility Hub. You cannot refer yourself.
Regional Fertility Hubs are based in certain public maternity hospital networks across the country (Regional Fertility Hub locations). Regional Fertility Hubs provides tests and treatments for both males and females (see below).
To get a referral from your GP or consultant to a Regional Fertility Hub, you must:
- Have problems getting pregnant or a health problem that affects fertility
- Be aged under 43 if you are a woman or aged under 60 if you are a man
- Have a BMI (body mass index) of 18.5 to 35 if you are a woman
Read the HSE information booklet on Regional Fertility Hubs (pdf).
Questionnaires for the Regional Fertility Hub
When the Regional Fertility Hub receives your referral, the fertility team will send you a male and a female questionnaire to complete and return. There can be a waiting list for an appointment in a Regional Fertility Hub.
You can find examples of the questionnaire on the HSE website.
Step 2: Tests at the Regional Fertility Hub
If you referred to the Regional Fertility Hub, they will provide specific tests and treatments for you both, including:
- Relevant blood tests
- Specialised scans and X-rays
- Semen analysis
- Fertility-related surgery
You will also be given an appointment to see the consultant. If you are applying as a couple, you must both attend this appointment.
You do not have to pay for these tests if you are referred to the Regional Fertility Hub, but you may have to pay for any medicine you are prescribed, visits and tests with your GP.
Find out what to expect at a Regional Fertility Hub.
Step 3: Appointment with a consultant
The reproductive medicine consultant at the Regional Fertility Hub will review your medical test results, all your medical history and discuss your treatment options.
Depending on the results of your tests, your consultant may recommend:
- Treatments with medicine or hormones
- Surgery (for women or for men)
- Assisted conception treatment, including IUI, ICSI and IVF
Step 4: Consent and choosing an AHR clinic
If you have been identified as requiring assisted human reproduction treatment and you meet the criteria (see below) for free treatment from the HSE, you will be given a HSE consent booklet for Assisted Human Reproduction Services.
In the consent handbook, you can read about what services are included and what are not. To apply for AHR services you must:
- Choose your top 3 preferred private fertility clinics from the list of private AHR clinics
- Complete the consent form and return it to the Regional Fertility Hub
Step 5: Referral to a HSE approved private AHR clinic
The Regional Fertility Hub will send your medical history and test results to the private AHR clinic.
Your private AHR clinic will prescribe you medicine as part of your fertility treatment. You will not have to pay for this medicine if you have a medical card. If you do not have a medical card, you may be able to get some of your medicine covered by the Drugs Payment Scheme card.
You can read more about the processes of IVF, ICSI and IUI on our page about fertility treatments and assisted human reproduction in Ireland.
Who can get free AHR services from the HSE?
To qualify for treatment, the intending mother must:
- Be aged over 18 and under 41 years at the time of referral
- Have a BMI (body mass index) between 18.5 and 30
Male patients must be aged over 18 years old and under 60.
You and your partner must also:
- Be ordinarily resident in Ireland
- Be in a relationship for at least 1 year
- Be referred to a regional fertility hub by a GP or consultant
- Have no living children from your current relationship (and at least one of you has no living child from any relationship)
- Have had a maximum of one previous IVF cycle,
- Have no unused embryos in storage
- Have not had voluntary sterilisation
Free IVF, ICSI and IUI is not available if you:
- Cannot use your own eggs or sperm
- Are a same-sex couple
- Are single
- Have more than 2 people who plan to be parents to the child
If you do not meet the access criteria for free IVF, ICSI or IUI you may still be able to get other fertility treatments at a HSE regional fertility hub.
More information
You can read more about fertility treatments and assisted human reproduction in Ireland.
You can find information on the HSE website about fertility treatments and using the HSE fertility services
Read more about the new publicly funded AHR treatments on the HSE website.