Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome our guests and thank them for their contributions. I understand the national sexual health strategy is being prepared by the Institute of Public Health. Dr. Holohan has indicated that the strategy is being finalised. When does he expect it to be ready for publication and will it present an opportunity to address some of the deficits and areas of concern that he and other speakers have identified? Can it be launched and used as a means to highlight this area and draw public attention to the issues arising? Is there an island-wide dimension and is there North-South engagement in the strategy? That is important.

What supports are available from the HSE for those recently diagnosed with HIV-AIDS in terms of counselling and other support services? Are they being developed on an ongoing basis?

It is my perception that the HSE and the NGO sector, in terms of dealing with the gay and lesbian community, have developed a good partnership. Is that a false perception and is the partnership as good as it should be or are there deficits that need to be highlighted and addressed?

Mr. Brady has noted that the age group most at risk is decreasing. What does this indicate? Further to Deputy Billy Kelleher's comments, is it indicative of the fact that the generation highlighted, with an average age of 31 years, is not as exposed as people from our time of life would have been?

I concur with his view on how it was presented and the impact that had. Nevertheless, we must recognise that there is not quite the same address and focus on this by the services or in the media. What strategies is the Department developing for promoting testing, particularly within high-risk groups, and for minimising the number of HIV-positive people who are unaware of their HIV status? It is very important that we address the lack of awareness of infection. The earlier infection can be diagnosed the better for the individual and the population.

Is funding available for a national campaign to highlight the importance of regular testing that will facilitate the earliest detection possible and address HIV stigma? It may or may not be possible to deliver both messages. That can be done only with engagement between the NGO sector and the Department of Health. Mr. Quinn indicated in his address that there is a significantly smaller number of outreach workers. There were originally four and there is now only one, who is not in situ. What is the impact of that? Is it something that would give Mr. Quinn concern? Should those positions be restored?