National Infertility Support and Information Group

Lobbying Organisation National Infertility Support and Information Group

Date published 21 May, 2020

Relevant Matter Matters involving public funds

Public Policy Area Health

Period 1 Jan, 2020 to 30 Apr, 2020

Specific Details NISIG is the only Irish charity supporting and advocacy on behalf of those experiencing fertility issues. Over the last quarter NISIG has advocated for public funding for IVF, assisting Intended parents trying to reach Ukraine during current COVID crisis in order to be present for the birth of their children via surrogacy; finally assisting Intended parents encountering issues getting a PPS number issued for their children born via surrogacy in the Ukraine.

Intended results To confirm that public funding for fertility treatment will include funding for IVF. To get confirmation that once Intended Parents of children born through surrogacy from the Ukraine, present the correct ETC documentation, it will be accepted(regardless of the date on the EDC) and the child's nationality will be determined as Irish( as detailed on the ETC documentation) and a PPS number will be issued for the child Liaising with the Department of Foreign Affairs to help secure safe travel to the Ukraine for a number of Intended Parents , in order that they can be present at the birth of their children born through surrogacy, in light of the current travel restrictions to the Ukraine caused by the COVID health crisis

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Gillian Keegan

Did any Designated Public Official(DPO) or former Designated Public Official(DPO) carry out lobbying activities on your behalf in relation to this return? You must include yourself, and answer Yes, if you are a current DPO or a DPO at any time in the past. (What is a Designated Public Official?) Yes

Current or Former Designated Public Official(s)

CIARAN CANNON (Former DPO) Minister of State (Department of Foreign Affairs)

Did you manage or direct a grassroots campaign? No

Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client? No

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Email (1)

NISIG made contact with Louise O'Reilly SF TD's office via email following on from the announcement by the Minister of Health Simon Harris that €2M public funding would be made available for fertility treatments in late 2019 . We asked Deputy O'Reilly if she provide some clarity around whether IVF would be included as part of this funding model. Louise O'Reilly confirmed that IVF funding, would be prioritised in the SF manifesto and confirmed their commitment to State-delivered AHR services, including IVF.

Email (2-5)

NISIG contacted Minister Cannon via email in relation to securing safe travel for a number of Intended parents trying to reach the Ukraine for the imminent birth of their children born via surrogacy, in light of the current travel restrictions to Ukraine due to the COVID health crises.

Email (6-10)

Minister Cannon requested that Joanne King,Head of Policy & Strategy,Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade follow up with NISIG in relation to securing safe travel for a number of couples trying to reach the Ukraine for the imminent birth of their children born via a surrogate, in light of the current travel restrictions to the Ukraine. GK contacted Joanne King via email on this issue, sending through specific details on the Intended parents involved.

Phone call (2-5)

Gillian Keegan spoke with Joanne King,Head of Policy & Strategy,Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on two occasions in relation to: 1) trying to secure safe travel for a number of Intended parents trying to reach the Ukraine for the imminent birth of their children born via a surrogate, in light of the current travel restrictions due to the COVID health crises. 2} Discussing specific infromation sent by NISIG in relation to the Intended parents seeking to travel to Ukraine.

Email (2-5)

NISIG contacted Andrew Hamilton from Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection, in relation to securing PPSN numbers for children born via surrogacy in the Ukraine, following contact from a number of NISIG members who were experiencing some difficulties with this. It was agreed that once the Intended parent(s) submit the child’s Emergency Travel Certificate (ETC) as supporting documentation for their child’s PPSN application, a PPSN number will be issued. Also once the ETC declares the child’s nationality as Irish, then the child’s nationality shall be recorded by this Department as Irish

Designated public officials lobbied

The following DPOs were lobbied during this return period on this specific Subject Matter Area. These DPOs were involved in at least one of the Lobbying Activities listed above, but not necessarily all of them. As returns are specific to a Subject Matter Area the above Lobbying Activities may be associated with multiple returns.

Ciaran Cannon TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Louise O'Reilly TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)