Surrogacy Ireland is not regulated by law. Therefore, many Irish couples who turn to surrogate motherhood must travel abroad—usually to the United States or Ukraine—where this method of assisted reproduction is considered legal. In jurisdictions where surrogacy is legal, the intended parents of children born through a surrogate arrangement are recognized as that child’s legitimate parents.
This rule no longer applies once the child returns home to Ireland. And although all proposed versions of the Surrogacy Act have attempted to change this provision, none have succeeded in doing so. In Ireland, a surrogate is considered the child’s legitimate mother. The intended mother never can be recognized as such under Irish law—even if she provided an egg used to form the embryo which was implanted into a surrogate.
Under the Children and Family Relations Act 2015, a prospective mother may be recognized by a court as the caretaker of her baby two years after its birth. However, custody is only a legal concept that provides for parental responsibility. Custody ends when one turns 18, regardless of whether the child was born to a surrogate mother or not. In an international surrogacy scenario, the prospective father may be recognized as the parent and caretaker of the just-born baby if his name appears on its birth certificate. However, he must be the genetic father.
In 2015 Irish law took a step towards the LGBT community by allowing same-sex marriage, and recognizing one as legal. For a gay couple to raise a child together in Ireland, two women are usually involved: one who will donate her egg and the other who will carry the pregnancy. Under current laws, surrogate mothers would be considered legal parents of children they carried if those kids were biologically theirs. But when the chain of custody is broken and a prospective father claims parental rights over the genetic connection to his child, it is hard for him to claim paternal authority.
This approach simplifies the surrogacy Ireland journey legally—but at a cost. Unfortunately, this option is available only to men; female gay couples are forced to seek solutions elsewhere. In Ireland, a mother cannot be recognized by DNA —even if she’s genetically related!
This is why many intended parents look to countries such as Colombia and Mexico, where medical and legal procedures are relatively affordable. These governments also take a supportive approach to surrogacy. Not like surrogacy in Ireland.
Surrogacy Agency In Ireland: Why is it worth choosing this?
Many people who choose to become parents through surrogacy face difficulties during the process. An experienced agency can help with these difficulties. If a couple decides to use an surrogacy agency in Ireland, their journey is guaranteed to be more enjoyable and easier.
Surrogate pregnancy is a time-consuming and complicated process for Irish couples who approach it on their own. Legal implications make the journey more difficult for intended parents in Ireland than Americans or citizens of many other nations, who can access international surrogates much easier
Surrogacy Cost In Ireland: Is it expensive?
The resolution of these issues does not require additional costs. However, the central part of the expenses is in clinic services and IVF procedures—the price for which varies widely depending on where one lives. Total prices range from 30,000 to 150,000 euros depending on the country. Here is the Surrogacy Cost In Ireland.
Commonly, agencies’ comprehensive packages include:
- In-Vitro Fertilization and embryo transfer fees
- pregnancy care and medical services payments
- gestational carrier compensation
- legal support and supervision charges
- surrogacy agency fees
Such a surrogate agreement helps to bring down six-figure price tags to affordable prices.