Deputy Joan Burton has expressed her disappointment at the Government’s failure this week to accept a Labour Party amendment to the 2008 Finance Bill (II) which would have seen people availing of IVF treatment continue to receive tax relief on payments for the treatment at the higher rate of tax. All payments for IVF treatment will now be deductible for tax purposes at the standard 20% rate.

“This will be a big blow for couples trying to have a baby using IVF. IVF is only available in Ireland in private health clinics. Private treatment of this type is very costly. Couples are often told that they will need to undergo the treatment a number of times to achieve success. The final bill could easily be upwards of €10,000.”

“Many people earning slightly above the average industrial wage are paying tax at the higher 41% rate. On a bill for IVF treatment of €10,000, the Government’s refusal to maintain tax relief at the higher rate would halve tax relief for some couples from €4,100 to €2,000.

“Having a young child is a blessing, but it can be a very expensive time in the best of circumstances. Reducing tax relief on IVF treatment will only make having a child that much harder.

“We have a tax system where property development attracts huge tax relief. In 2006 alone, tax relief on property schemes amounted to €464m. However, young couples trying for a child are now being penalised.

“For the sake of clawing back a modest amount of money to plug the hole in the public finances, the dream of having a child could be put beyond the reach of some couples.

“This is heartless bean-counting gone mad.

“I have raised the matter with the Minister for Health, Mary Harney, who said she would look into the matter. I hope that between Minister Harney and Minister Lenihan there can be some recognition of the financial difficulties facing couples undergoing IVF treatment as a result of the budget.”