Vol. 527 No. 5
88 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of HIV cases recorded to date; if he has satisfied himself that adequate preventative measures are in place having regard to the concerns expressed by some doctors about the increase in the number of cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28912/00]
The total number of cases which have tested HIV positive up to the end of June 2000 is 2,364. This figure includes 169 new reported cases in the first six months of 2000. HIV statistics show that 41% of all cases are intravenous drug users, 22.4% are homosexuals and 19.5% are heterosexuals or risk unspecified, and the balance of 17% is made up of haemophiliacs, children and others.
The national AIDS strategy committee, which is chaired by my colleague, the Deputy Moffatt, the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, published AIDS Strategy 2000 in June of this year which acknowledges the progress made to date and sets a framework for future developments. Although significant progress has been made the most recent statistics show that we must refocus our efforts. Many recommendations were made in the strategy report and the committee and its sub-committees, comprising representatives of the statutory and voluntary agencies working in this area and people who are HIV positive, will work towards the implementation of those recommendations in the coming months and years.
Deputy Moffatt will ask the committee at its next meeting in January 2001 to examine whether additional measures are required in the light of increasing incidence of HIV.
