Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael)
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6. To ask the Minister for Health his views on the progress being made to develop a national sexual health strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26756/23]

Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael)
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Go raibh míle maith agat, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle. My question relates to the Minister of State's view of the progress being made on developing a national sexual health strategy.

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Deputy for his question. The sexual health strategy is a core priority for Healthy Ireland and for the Government. Additional funding of approximately €4 million was allocated to sexual health between budgets 2022 and 2023.

The recent independent review by Crowe Ireland of the first National Sexual Health Strategy 2015-2020 identifies some key successes. These include: expanding free access to contraception through the free contraception scheme for women and national condom distribution service; the introduction of pre-exposure prophylaxis, PrEP, for HIV prevention and joining the HIV fast-track cities programme; introducing a nationwide free home sexually transmitted infection, STI, testing service in 2022; additional data and information through surveys and research; developing a wide range of educational resources; public engagement and communications campaigns; the sexualwellbeing.iewebsite; and working in partnership with NGOs to support patients and communities.

The review includes 32 recommendations to inform the next strategy. These were drawn from stakeholder consultations, international comparisons and expert recommendations. The review is published and available through the Healthy Ireland website. Work on a refreshed national sexual health strategy was delayed due to Covid, but commenced earlier this year. The first meeting of the policy development group is scheduled for July. The renewed strategy will build on the priorities of its predecessor. Given the rapid development and change, it is likely the remit of the strategy will be widened. It is envisaged the strategy will be published in quarter 4.

Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister of State for her response. Noting the delays caused to pretty much everything by Covid, I welcome the strategy being published back in March. On implementation and the availability of such services across the State, is there continuity of service delivery? I point to access to PrEP, where I understand there is a regional imbalance. Undoubtedly, the Minister of State has been made aware of that. If so, is there a plan in place to address that?

On the delivery of the strategy itself, I am aware the Government is hoping to implement it by the end of the year. Is that still on the cards?

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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On PrEP, I agree this is a really important area. As the Deputy knows, Ireland established a national HIV PrEP programme in November 2019. PrEP clinics are provided within 13 of the free STI clinics and 17 private GP providers are approved to prescribe free PrEP medication. In 2022, 4,314 individuals had their PrEP eligibility approved via the primary care reimbursement service, PCRS and 3,388 individuals had a PrEP prescription filled at least once, of whom 1,240 had their first ever prescriptions. There have been changes to the international guidelines. These widened the access criteria for PrEP. Consideration is now being given to incorporate the resulting unmet demand. That will be part of the new strategy as well and will also be considered in the Estimates process. It is important we expand that.

I will come back in on the roll-out of it, but there is much good work happening in that space as well.

Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael)
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That is appreciated. After the Minister of State has addressed that outstanding question, she might say whether she is satisfied there is sufficient training available for professionals.

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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I will give examples of really good models. I want to ensure we are funding evidence-based programmes across the country. These should be programmes and initiatives that work. I was recently down in Cork at UCC. There is a novel project there where the work of HSE CHO 4 drug and alcohol services, Cork Local Drug and Alcohol Task Force and the Southern Regional Drug & Alcohol Task Force. They are providing a night-time mobile unit like a drugs, alcohol and sexual health, DASH, unit that goes into parts of Cork and Kerry. It goes into rural areas to provide information for young people. It is a mobile unit and the first of its kind in Ireland. It provides rapid HIV testing, condom provision and drug and alcohol assessments. It is an informal way of providing information to young people out and about. Third-level institutions will play a fundamental role in rolling out sexual health campaigns. This is going to be a key area of focus for me. Education, training and development are part of the strategy. I am open to working with the Deputy if he has any suggestions in that area.