Skip to main content
Normal View

Sexually Transmitted Infections

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 March 2021

Wednesday, 24 March 2021

Questions (1667, 1668)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

1667. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the number of existing PrEP users attending the gay men's health service from November 2019, in 2020 and to date in 2021, respectively, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15028/21]

View answer

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

1668. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the number of persons currently registered as being eligible for free PrEP treatment; the way the HSE maintains contact with such persons during the period of the gay men’s health service being closed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15029/21]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1667 and 1668 together.

The roll-out of the national PrEP programme was a significant landmark in the implementation of the National Sexual Health Strategy, 2015-2020. The PrEP programme was launched in November 2019 and funding of €5.4 million was secured in 2020, including allocations for the recruitment of additional staff. The roll-out of the programme continues in 2021. Whilst the PrEP programme remains fully funded, implementation has been impacted as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

All health services, including STI/HIV/PrEP services, are continuing to face constraints, resulting from the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic. These include attendance by appointment only, or online as a result of the need to maintain social distancing, and the necessary redeployment of personnel to diverse COVID-19 related duties, which include testing, contact tracing, vaccination and front-line patient care.

However, despite Covid-19 related restrictions, the national PrEP programme has continued to expand and over 2,000 individuals, mostly gay men, are currently registered. Phone lines, the GMHS website and other resources such as www.man2man.ie and www.sexualwellbeing.ie are regularly updated to reflect current service delivery and to signpost users to the HSE list of approved PrEP services.

Needless to say, funding remains in place for the national PrEP programme and it is hoped that this service can be delivered to its full potential and developed further, once pandemic related constraints on the health service as a whole can be reduced safely.

A phased re-opening and reintroduction of STI services, including PrEP, has been under way in the Gay Men’s Health Service (GMHS) since January, 2021. The Consultant in Infectious Diseases (GMHS and GUIDE Clinic, St James’s Hospital) and other doctors are providing virtual consultations, and PrEP service users attend GMHS for STI screening and blood testing. Those with diagnosed STIs or requiring Hepatitis and/or HPV vaccine continue to be treated in GMHS also. The recruitment of permanent staff is progressing, with administrative staff in post and IT expansion underway. In summary, GMHS is continuing to reinstate services on a phased basis in line with the HSE’s Safe Return to Work Guide.

With regard to the detailed statistical data sought, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Top
Share