Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
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I raise the issue of the availability of pre-exposure prophylaxis, PrEP, in Cork. It is important that Cork, in conjunction with other cities and large towns, have access to PrEP and its availability be widespread. The availability of PrEP is just one part of a sexual health programme, along with the excellent work done by the Sexual Health Centre in Cork to provide rapid HIV testing.The Government has announced a national programme around HIV PrEP. Roll out of the programme in Cork is sadly awaited. Cork is a designated centre for this programme in the south. This means that people will travel to Cork to avail of the service but we have been waiting for it for the past month. Funding is available which means the provision of PrEP under the sexual health and crisis pregnancy programme should be expedited as a matter of urgency. It is already available in Dublin and Limerick. If it is administered and available outside Dublin, then it is important it is made available in Cork.

The Minister of State will be aware Cork University Hospital recently opened the Galtee suite providing a new space for HIV care in Cork. This significant positive development is to be welcomed. It is the first time a designated space will be available in Cork University Hospital for HIV treatment. Arising from that, it is about putting in place pathways and access to care for people. I commend all those involved in working on sexual health and HIV in Cork University Hospital.

This is an important matter, particularly at a time when HIV figures are increasing and the Department of Health has invested significantly in this area. It is about assisting the work done by the Cork Gay Project and the Cork Sexual Health Centre. I commend all those in the Cork Sexual Health Centre, under the directorship of Martin Davoren, for their work. For example, the rapid HIV testing saw 1,000 people in Cork tested. It is not just about going in and out to get tested. It is about a discussion around the whole issue of sexual activity and ensuring there is a referral pathway. This programme is important. I look forward to the response of the Minister of State and access to PrEP being rolled out promptly.

Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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I thank Senator Buttimer for raising this important issue, as well as for his dedication and commitment to health and disability matters in the Cork area.

Sexual health is a priority for the Department of Health. This was evidenced by the publication of the National Sexual Health Strategy 2015-2020, the first major strategy to tackle this vital area. We have made good progress with implementation of the strategy since 2015. The Department of Health, along with the HSE's sexual health and crisis pregnancy programme, has worked hard to build important partnerships with a range of community and voluntary groups, all of which are working with us to implement a range of important sexual health initiatives. We will begin work on a new strategy in 2020.

One area of concern to us all continues to be the rise in new diagnoses of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. This year has seen several major actions launched to combat these rising rates of infection. In June, Ireland formally became a member of the HIV fast-track cities initiative, a major global partnership committed to accelerating local HIV/AIDS responses. Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Galway have joined this network with €450,000 in funding provided in 2019 for the implementation of local actions, such as increased access to HIV testing. Cork Sexual Health Centre has benefitted from this funding allocation.

The most significant development this year has been the introduction of a national programme of HIV PrEP. This involves the pre-emptive use of anti-retroviral medication to prevent HIV infection within a holistic prevention service which includes regular monitoring and testing, as well as advice and counselling on safer sex practices. Funding was provided in 2019 to services which met national standards and were ready to commence a service. Since 4 November, eight public sexual health services in Dublin, Portlaoise, Galway, Limerick and Waterford have commenced providing a HIV PrEP programme.A number of private providers who meet national standards for PrEP have also been approved. Funding of €5.4 million has been secured for 2020 to allow a full national roll-out of a high quality, holistic programme and fund the additional staff and other resources required to provide HIV PrEP within a broader sexual health and HIV prevention programme. I am pleased to inform the Senator that funding has been approved for a HIV PrEP service in Cork University Hospital, CUH. Cork University Hospital has been providing HIV services for over 20 years. Over that time the services have developed and currently provide care to approximately 700 people with HIV. As part of the ongoing developments in CUH, a PrEP clinic will commence shortly. The recruitment of the necessary personnel to support this development has commenced and currently is progressing. A PrEP service in CUH is therefore expected to start in February 2020.

Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
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I welcome the allocation of €5.4 million for the national roll-out, the Minister of State's commitment for the HIV PrEP service in CUH and the February date for its opening. We had been promised 4 November. It is important that we instill confidence in the service to augment and support the work being done locally and that February is not an arbitrary date, but one that can be met. I look forward to working with the Minister of State and the Department to ensure that it is met.

Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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I thank Senator Buttimer. I am glad he has welcomed the funding and I commend him for his work on this issue. In addition to the important initiatives on sexual health which I outlined in my opening statement, I would like to conclude by providing some further information on other measures being taken in this important area of health and well-being.

A key element in the prevention of infection is condom use. The national condom distribution service works directly with at-risk groups and in 2018 the service provided 409,000 condoms to 67 organisations working with at-risk groups. This service is currently being expanded to provide services to third level students, by way of condom dispensing machines on third level campus facilities.

A particular focus of the sexual health strategy is on equipping our young people with the knowledge and skills to meet the challenges of relationships and sexual health. I will also bring the Senator's message on the February date back to the Minister, Deputy Harris.