Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Deputy for his question and congratulate him on his new appointment as Chair of the health committee. I look forward to working with him and the team.

Sexual health is a priority for the Department of Health. The drafting process for the national sexual health strategy commenced in 2023 following a review of the previous strategy. The drafting committee included policy, service delivery and clinical leads working within the Department and the HSE. However, the strategy underwent an additional round of stakeholder consultation and feedback completed in mid-2024. It was decided that the strategy would be launched under the new Government to incorporate priorities from the new programme for Government. The strategy is supported by an action plan that maps out implementation plans for the first three years. It is currently at advanced design stage and will be submitted for departmental and ministerial approval shortly.

Within the remit of the strategy will be support for positive mental health and well-being across the life course of the strategy, testing, diagnosis and treatment of HIV and STIs, prevention of adverse sexual health outcomes, information, education and research. Subject to departmental, ministerial and Government approval, the launch is planned for two weeks' time, Tuesday, 27 May. We have the launch ready, all going well, for this day two weeks. To keep the Deputy updated, service improvements are ongoing in the meantime. An additional €1.35 million has been allocated to free home STI testing, HIV PrEP and the free contraception scheme in 2025. A lot of work has been done through the Department.

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