Referrals open today for State funded fertility treatment

Health minister Stephen Donnelly said this new scheme is an 'important step' on the road to full publicly-funded treatment. Picture: Brian Lawless 

Referrals are open from today for state-funded fertility treatment, the first such programme in Ireland, Health Minister Stephen Donnelly has said.

Under the scheme, eligible women can receive treatment through approved private fertility clinics with the cost covered by the State.