Vol. 537 No. 2
234 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children the current measures which are in place to raise the awareness of STDs and AIDS which specifically targets young people; his future plans on the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15770/01]
My Department continues to give HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infections priority. The National AIDS Strategy Committee, NASC, which my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Moffatt chairs, now includes sexually transmitted infections in its brief. NASC published a strategy document last year and will work, through its subcommittees, towards the implementation of the report's recommendations.
My Department is currently engaged in a significant number of initiatives to raise awareness of sexually transmitted diseases specifically targeting young people. These include co-ordination of the education and prevention sub-committee of the National Aids Strategy Committee. This group will oversee the implementation of the recommendations made in the Report of the National Aids Strategy Committee 2000. The national youth health programme, a partnership between my Department, the Department of Education and Science and the National Youth Council of Ireland, provides ongoing training and support to youth workers through the knowledge is power HIV/AIDS education pack.
The health promotion unit is also partners with the Department of Education and Science in the implementation of social, personal and health education, SPHE, at post-primary school level. The relationship and sexuality education programme which addresses the above issues is an integral component of SPHE. For the past number of years the health promotion unit has also been running an advertising campaign in pubs and clubs and other youth facilities with messages concerning safer sexual health practices. My Department is also currently implementing an awareness raising campaign addressing the issues of unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections.
On an ongoing basis, my Department is working with other specific voluntary and community organisations addressing these issues. Examples include the Gay/HIV Strategies Group and Gay Community News. A number of the regional health boards are also developing sexual health strategies and programmes of action, often in conjunction with voluntary groups, to address these issues.
