Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 May 2020
545. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health his plans to address STIs as a public health issue and ensure the provision of contraceptives for persons under 21 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4362/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraSexual health is a priority for my Department, as evidenced by the implementation of the National Sexual Health Strategy 2015 -2020, which was launched in October 2015. The Strategy’s key aims are to improve sexual health and well-being and to reduce negative sexual health outcomes. A mid-term review of the Strategy, conducted in 2018, found that implementation is going well and that the Strategy will remain relevant beyond 2020. It is planned to develop a refreshed version of the strategy.
A number of priority actions under the Strategy were significantly progressed in 2019. A national HIV PrEP prevention programme was commenced in November 2019, and funding of €5.4 million allocated to the HSE in Budget 2020 for full national roll-out this year. In addition, last year, Ireland joined the Fast Track Cities Initiative, a global partnership project to drive the response to HIV/AIDS, including action on awareness, outreach and community HIV testing, and stigma reduction.
Supports for accessing contraception is provided through the GMS scheme, GP visit cards and the National Condom Distribution Service (NCDS), which was established by the HSE Sexual Health & Crisis Pregnancy Programme in October 2015.
The NCDS functions as a central point of distribution of free condoms and lubricant sachets to HSE services and other organisations who work directly with people at an increased risk of negative sexual health outcomes. In 2018, 409,000 condoms were ordered by 67 organisations working directly with individuals and groups across the country who are at increased risk of unplanned pregnancy or acquiring HIV or an STI. The NCDS commenced roll-out of condom dispenser services in third level colleges and universities in 2019 to provide further sexual health supports to young people.
The HSE has developed a number of safer sex, contraception and consent messaging resources which are accessible online via the website www.sexualwellbeing.ie.
A Working Group was established in April 2019 to consider the range of policy, regulatory and legislative issues arising in relation to improving access to contraception in Ireland. The Group’s report, which was published in October 2019, identified the barriers that exist to accessing contraception and the mechanisms available to overcome those barriers. It is clear that there is a sizeable body of work to be addressed in order to develop policy and legislative proposals and then to ensure the implementation of service delivery arrangements.
