Sir, – Clare Moriarty’s article “I wonder how my childless counterpart is getting on” (Opinion & Analysis, November 2nd) is timely when she notes that public reflection on parenthood, the decisions around starting a family along with the component of choice, is vital.
The recent European Fertility Awareness week provided an opportunity to raise and reflect on the issues that are experienced by those who, through no fault of their own, have difficulty in starting a family.
For some, this can result in very difficult decisions around cost of treatment versus being able to have a family, and the toll this takes on people both mentally and physically, is significant. Ireland has improved its standing in this area in recent years with the newly passed assisted human reproduction legislation and beginning the introduction of public funding for IVF treatment.
As a country, we are now ranked number 12 out of 49 countries on the Fertility Europe policy atlas; however, there is certainly more progress to be made.
Along with increased funding for treatment and the setting up of a new regulator in this specific area, we need to encourage and educate society as a whole on how to support people on what is often a very difficult and lonely journey. – Yours, etc,
CAITRÍONA FITZPATRICK,
Chairperson,
National Infertility Support and Information Group,
Maynooth,
Co Kildare.