Latest news with #LayaLife
Irish Times
2 days ago
- Health
- Irish Times
One in six Irish couples will struggle with infertility – what are the options?
The average cost of raising a child from birth to the age of 21 was put at almost €170,000 in an eye-watering report in May, a 60 per cent increase since 2015. The figure, gleaned from a survey of 1,000 presumably financially-scarred parents in Laya Life's Cradle to College Cost Index, covered everything from essentials such as nappies and baby formula through to pocket money, family holidays, Communion and Confirmation gifts, third-level fees and rent supports. But for one cohort of people, the financial challenges around raising a child begin years in advance of shopping for cots or even maternity wear because of infertility issues. Fertility treatments are not cheap. One round of in vitro fertilisation (IVF) in a private clinic costs as much as €6,500. READ MORE With an average of three rounds considered standard per couple and tests and other medical exams heaped on top, IVF can cost about €20,000, with no guarantee of success. Sarah Magner (46), a pharmacist, and her husband, Darren O'Brien (43), a teacher, self-funded their four-year IVF journey at a cost somewhere between €40,000 and €50,000. The couple used up savings and worked extra jobs; Magner as an assessor in the Irish Pharmaceutical Union and O'Brien worked as a photographer, while the couple lived as frugally as they could. Even so, the costs and disappointments continued to mount. 'I only met my husband when I was 35, so I was over the hill fertility-wise and when nothing was happening for us, I went to my GP when I was 37, who referred me to a fertility clinic,' says Magner. 'We did one round of IVF and got one free embryo transfer and it didn't work. And we kept trying – again, the first attempt didn't work but the second embryo did and we had our daughter who is now six. 'The third transfer didn't work, the fourth resulted in a miscarriage and then it was in the middle of Covid and we found ourselves out of embryos, and the IVF clinics were closed. So we contacted a clinic in Ukraine to try again and after our second round, we found out we were pregnant with my son, who has just turned three.' Sarah Magner and Darren O'Brien's two children, Meadhbh and Iarlaith. Photograph: Darren O'Brien The costs racked up, with the first round of IVF in a private clinic, which produced one embryo, at €6,000. The second round cost €12,000, in which eight embryos were produced and the first transfer was included in the cost, with each subsequent transfer costing €1,500. The couple also paid another clinic €10,000 and a further €1,000 for transfers along with extra costs for any tests carried out along the way. [ 'Injecting yourself daily is difficult to navigate at work': Managing fertility treatment while working Opens in new window ] 'It sounds stupid, but if they ask you to have a test for €300 or €400 for something, there is a part of you thinking of the thousands you've already spent and how €400 on top of that wasn't actually that bad,' says Magner. 'It all becomes relative to that huge amount of money you've already invested into IVF. All those tests add up, and if you go down the supplements route, which I didn't because of my professional background, you are looking at even more costs. 'Ukraine was slightly cheaper overall; we spent €8,000, plus flights and accommodation.' Magner and O'Brien's journey through IVF spanned from 2017 until 2021 and the huge financial squeeze on the household reflects that of thousands of others in Ireland. 'It's a big financial outlay no matter how you look at it,' says Caítriona Fitzpatrick, chairwoman of the National Infertility Charity, which provides support to and advocates for people seeking fertility treatment. One round of in vitro fertilisation (IVF) in a private clinic costs as much as €6,500. Photograph: iStock She said the charity sees many people at their support meetings who 'get a credit union loan, sell a car, borrow from family members, or take on a second job' to fund fertility treatment. 'This financial burden tends to come at times when people have lots of other financial demands such as marriage or buying a house.' 'If IVF is unsuccessful, it's absolutely devastating for a person because they've put a huge amount of emotional and mental time into this, as well as the huge costs, and they can come out with nothing at the end of it.' But is there any financial relief on such fertility costs? Well, like most medical expenses, you can claim tax back on the cost of fertility treatments at the standard rate of 20 per cent. So, if you paid €5,000, you can claim €1,000, once you have not claimed these expenses elsewhere, such as from a private health insurance provider or through compensation. Any drugs required as part of the fertility treatment can be acquired under the Drugs Payment Scheme, where you will pay a maximum of €80 per month for all approved prescribed medicines. [ Employee who took time off work for IVF treatment wins €10,000 for unfair dismissal Opens in new window ] If you have to travel abroad for fertility treatment, such as Magner and O'Brien, there is also an allowance to claim 20 per cent back on treatment expenses in a hospital or clinic. And if that treatment isn't available in Ireland, travel expenses can also be claimed. The Health Service Executive (HSE) estimates that about one in six heterosexual couples in Ireland may experience infertility – an issue the World Health Organisation labels as 'a disease of the male or woman reproductive system defined by the failure to achieve a pregnancy after 12 months or more of regular unprotected sexual intercourse'. However, progress to make assisted human reproduction treatments more affordable and transparent remains slow. Unlike all other EU countries, Ireland still has no specific legislation governing the area of assisted human reproduction treatment, though that is expected to change in the coming months, with a board and staff currently in formation. 'Fertility treatment through the public system is only available since September 2023, along with the announcement of six regional hubs and the first partnerships with private clinics, but this is being rolled out very slowly,' adds Ms Fitzpatrick. 'There are a lot of restrictions around that too and we have been told that when the regulatory authority is in place, they'll be able to expand that into donor conception and other areas to allow more people to avail of the public system.' Time off work is another contentious issue in the fertility treatment debate. There is currently no legislation requiring employers to allocate paid leave or time off for important appointments or indeed, disappointments, during an IVF journey. Qualifying couples, and primarily women, must first meet strict requirements to avail of the state-run Model of Care for Fertility service. Photograph: iStock But, in the absence of statutory duties, more and more employers are taking the lead in offering supports when it comes to compassionate leave. Bank of Ireland, and Lidl are among those offering additional leave days for those seeking IVF treatment. Others are even more progressive. University College Cork offers employees five additional paid leave days per cycle, up to a maximum of three cycles, while PwC provide eight days of paid leave for fertility consultations and appointments. Ms Fitzpatrick also says the charity sees more employers 'seeking our advice or looking to create an internal policy' around supporting staff undergoing fertility treatment. Although, she says this 'varies widely' from proactive employers to those dealing with a staff requests on the matter. 'It would be very beneficial to see some guidance given to employers around this and certainly when the new regulatory authority is in a position to draw from the data around the whole area of fertility treatment in Ireland.' Since the introduction of the State-run Model of Care for Fertility, run in conjunction with the HSE's National Women & Infants Health Programme, which also includes intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection, 2,300 couples have been referred for assisted human reproduction treatment as of last month, with hubs receiving an average of about 550 referrals a month. But qualifying couples, and primarily women, must first meet strict requirements to avail of the service. Aspiring mothers must be under 41 at the time of GP referral to a regional hub, while men must be under 60, and the aspiring mother must have a body mass index (BMI) of between 18.5 and 30. 'We have asked for the criteria to be medically reviewed... [Here's] one example, we had one person contact us and there was male infertility in the relationship, but because her BMI is over the criteria, the couple are not allowed to apply for the scheme even though she has no fertility issues,' says Ms Fitzpatrick. [ Even with funding, infertility is a hard and lonely road Opens in new window ] 'This seems incredibly unfair that she was penalised for a male infertility issue. If it's male fertility issue in the need for IVF treatment, do we still need to be looking at woman BMI in terms of criteria?' Ms Fitzpatrick says educating people on fertility journeys and the limitations in the State's offering should be a priority because often assisted human reproduction is only on a person's radar when conception becomes a problem. Also, individuals going down the treatment route alone, using sperm donors, can incur costs of more than €5,000 depending on the number of sperm straws required. And that journey is not catalogued by any State scheme. 'There's a bit of a historical hangover in this country around contraception and having children, but when somebody decides they do want to be a parent and struggle to conceive, the HSE scheme will only fund couples not individuals,' adds Ms Fitzpatrick. 'From a really practical perspective, we will always advise people on this journey to start with their GP, who will refer them into the public health system. That is covered and funded so it's worth being in the public system even if they can't take you the full length of the journey. 'Even reaching out to someone such as ourselves – can help as everybody involved in the charity has been part of the process at some level.'
The Irish Sun
13-06-2025
- The Irish Sun
The Irish playground perfect for cheap family day out next to windmill, bakery & farmers market minutes from the beach
IF you're looking for the perfect place to take the kids this summer, look no further than this playground that boasts stunning views. A survey released in May of this year by Laya Life revealed that the average cost of raising a child from when they are born until they go to 5 Skerries Mill playground is a 43 minute drive from Dublin city centre Credit: Skerries Mills / Facebook 5 The Skerries Mills Museum in Dublin Credit: Alamy 5 The natural playground is right beside windmills and overlooks the river Credit: Skerries Mills / Facebook The 'Cradle to College Cost Index', where the company surveyed 1,000 This To add to this, when children are on summer holidays from And now, with READ MORE IN TRAVEL Skerries Mill playground is located just a 43 minute drive from It was opened in 2021, and has been a huge hit with both locals and And it's just 3 minutes from Skerries The natural playground is right beside windmills and overlooks the river, offering a stunning view - especially during the Most read in Travel It caters to kids of all ages and abilities, so all children can experience the fun. When built, it was important to the LOCAL HERITAGE The mills are from a monastic site dating back to around AD795. The windmills along with other statues scattered around the playground reflects the local heritage and history of All of the structures are made from wood, adding to the natural element of the park. And for the older ones, there is a skate park just beside it. For the parents, the Skerries Mills Farmers Market is also beside it, so you can pop in to get some fresh produce for the To make the most of the day, you can visit the Windmills and Watermill and enjoy an escorted tour. And then, take a stop into the Windmill Bakery which has been there since 1840 and offers freshly baked goods along with lunch. 5 All of the structures are made from wood, adding to the natural element of the park Credit: Skerries Mills / Facebook 5 It caters to kids of all ages and abilities, so all children can experience the fun Credit: Skerries Mills / Facebook
Irish Daily Mirror
14-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Daily Mirror
It now costs €169,000 to raise a child in Ireland
The cost of raising a child from cradle to college has jumped by 60% in the last decade, soaring by an extra €65,000. A health insurer survey found that the cost was €105,000 in 2015 – but now costs €169,000, the firm revealed this week. It has calculated that the costs amount to €15,00 a year, with food, college fees, and rent support accounting for the biggest outlays. Mum-of-two Kel Galavan, who is a financial expert and money coach said the new figures from Laya Life's Cradle to College Cost Index, warned that the costs involved highlight the 'financial landscape for Irish families'. Several vital elements were factored into the calculations for the two-decade long financial support. These include nappies, baby formula, pocket money, birthday presents, family holidays, communion and confirmation gifts, university fees, and rent support. A survey spokesperson said: 'The new research shows a dramatic rise in the cost of raising a child in Ireland. A survey of 1,000 parents revealed that the total cost to the average household, to age 21 has climbed to €169,372.85, which is a 60% increase since 2015." The survey spokesperson added: 'Parents say that the first year of a child's life (23%) and their teenage years (24%) are the most financially demanding on the household budget. Delving deeper and breaking down the data further, it shows the average cost per child, per year, from cradle to college, is €15,324.20. This is an increase of 39% in the last 10 years.' In 2015, parents said the annual spend on nappies was €3,197.52 but this has now increased by 61% to €5,148. Baby formula has gone from €541.68 a year in 2015 to €1,456 a year in 2025, a jump of 169%. Pocket money accounted for €642.72 of a family's budget a decade ago but this year it has gone up by 86% to €1,196. Rent support is also up, going from €3,320.76 in 2015 to €4,536 this year, a rise of 37%. But the family spend on birthday presents for a child in 2015 was €499.08 and this is now €148 – a drop of 70%. Similarly, family holidays have fallen by 35% from €1,653.72 in 2015 to €1,079, while communion and confirmation gifts are down from €573.72 in 2015 to €120 this year, according to Laya. University contributions are down by 16% from €4,056.24 to €3,387 in the same period. The survey spokesperson said: 'Changes in spending over the decade reflect the influence of economic and societal factors on family expenses.' Money expert Galavan warned: 'These figures illustrate the evolving financial landscape for Irish families. It's becoming increasingly important to consider financial planning strategies. The research demonstrates that families are adapting to increasing costs, particularly for essential goods such as food and baby items, by re-evaluating expenditures on holidays, celebrations, and third level education. 'Worryingly, less than half (48%) of Irish parents have life insurance, leaving them vulnerable should the unexpected happen. This underscores the critical need for families to prioritise financial security and protect their loved ones in the face of these evolving economic challenges.' Interesting key stats to emerge from the survey's findings include that over half (55%) of parents plan to help their children financially when they want to buy their own home. Around 33% anticipate general support being needed until their children are aged 25 or older. In 2015, the average age parents expected their children to be fully independent at was 24, highlighting the continued need for parental support well into adulthood, and this remains consistent in 2025. Some 73% of parents said they put too much pressure on themselves to give their children everything. Despite the high costs of raising children, only 51% have made a savings plan to cover the future costs of supporting their children until they are old enough to support themselves. This is an increase compared to the 2015 Index, when 31% of parents had a future savings plan. The research also revealed that families are making difficult choices when it comes to larger discretionary expenses. For example, spending is down on family holidays, gifts for life events, and even third-level education. The decrease in university fees paid by parents, which is down by 16%, could suggest that students are increasingly funding their own education through loans or part-time work, according to analysts. JP Hughes, who is head of Laya Life, which is now part of AXA insurance, said: 'The increase in the cost of raising a child over the past decade reinforces the value of financial planning for Irish parents. Understanding long-term financial security is key, and families need to consider how they can best protect themselves against future uncertainties.'
Irish Times
13-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
Paying the bills for your child: costs soar to €169,000
The cost of raising a child has risen by 60 per cent in the past decade, new research has claimed, with the total cost now standing at an average of €169,000. The research from Laya Life looked at the cost of supporting a child from birth to college age, with costs for everything from nappies and food to rent support climbing. The survey, which questioned 1,000 parents as part of the Cradle to College Cost Index, found the most financially demanding years for parents were the first year of a child's life and their teenage years. Among the major cost increases for parents were food, which has seen a 61 per cent increase in the past decade, while spending on baby formula has also risen sharply. READ MORE Families are also paying out more in pocket money to children, which has increased by 86 per cent, while rent support for older children has risen by 37 per cent. The average cost for raising a child per year, has climbed almost 40 per cent to €15,324.20 in the past decade. However, spending on discretionary items was lower, with holiday spending down 35 per cent compared with a year ago. Spending on gifts for life events such as communions was also lower, and spending on third-level education had also fallen, with 16 per cent less spent by households. Future planning has improved, with one in two parents making a savings plan to cover future costs associated with supporting their children. That was up from one in three in the last index, Laya said. 'This increase in the cost of raising a child over the past decade reinforces the value of financial planning for Irish parents,' said head of Laya Life, JP Hughes. 'Understanding long-term financial security is key, and families need to consider how they can best protect themselves against future uncertainties.' More than half of Irish parents said they planned to help out with their child's future purchase of their home, with 30 per cent expecting to support their children until they are 25 or older.
The Journal
13-05-2025
- General
- The Journal
How much would you give a child for their Communion?
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION season is in full swing as children across the country of Catholic and other Christian faiths prepare to take the Eucharist. This time of year also brings the debate over how much money is appropriate to give a child on the big day. A new survey by Laya Life found that parents have reduced how much they are spending on a child's communion, but what about gifts for children that aren't your own? So today we're asking: How much would you give a child for their Communion? Poll Results: €50 (244) Depends on my relationship with the child (185) €20 (184) €100 (38) I don't give money for Communions (31) €10 or less (27) More than €100 (13) €10 or less €20 €50 €100 More than €100 Depends on my relationship with the child I don't give money for Communions Vote
