Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We will have statements on tourism later. As Senator Gavan knows from my record, unlike others, I believe in consensus and talking and reaching out to everybody. There has to be engagement by all sides.

Senator Byrne referred to St. Vincent's special school, which is an important facility in Lisnagry, County Limerick. Like Senator McFadden, Senator Byrne has been a strong champion of technological universities. I will be happy to have a debate on the issues raised by her related to autism. The HSE autism plan has been established to address the need for multi-annual funding to build capacity and competence and provide certainty for parents of children with autism.

Senator Warfield raised the issue of PrEP. I think we all agree with his comment on the welcome announcement made by the Minister of State, Deputy Catherine Byrne, on the need for PrEP. The increased rate of HIV infection is a cause of concern for many because there seems to be a sense a person can live with HIV and that it is no longer a death sentence. There is a need for an ongoing educational campaign, of which PrEP is just one part. I will work with the Senator in that regard. We have spoken to the Minister of State; the Minister, Deputy Harris, and the Department of Health about the need for an accentuated campaign. When I was Chairman of the Joint Committee on Health, we had a meeting every year on 1 December with the Minister and HIV-AIDS activists throughout the country. We cannot remove the issue from the radar. It is becoming more and more relevant, given that the last two reports have shown an increase.