Woman appeals maternity benefit refusal

A woman whose child was born as a result of a surrogacy arrangement has brought a High Court action alleging the State’s refusal to pay her maternity benefit amounts to unlawful discrimination. The Equality Authority is supporting the woman’s case.

The woman became seriously ill with cancer when pregnant some years ago and had to have an emergency hysterectomy which left her unable to carry a pregnancy, the court heard.

She and her husband later entered into an arrangement with a surrogate who agreed to be implanted with their genetic material fertilised via IVF treatment.