Dáil debates

Tuesday, 13 May 2025

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions

Health Strategies

9:55 am

Photo of Pádraig RicePádraig Rice (Cork South-Central, Social Democrats)

We have huge innovations in the area of HIV - on PrEP, PEP and rapid testing - but I think we are not seizing the moment here. We could potentially end HIV transmissions in this country if we massively invested in this. People are waiting far too long to get access to PrEP clinics. There is a real chance here to have a game-changing moment, and I urge the Minister of State to seize that and increase the investment and access to services.

On the online testing, it is fine if people do not have symptoms, but people with symptoms need to go to clinics and need to have clinics in their communities they can access. It is all well and good having access to online tests you can order and do at home, but that does not work for everybody, especially those who have infections. That is why we need those better services in the communities, and we need to spend more money than we are currently.

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