Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 414: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when a sexual health strategy will be rolled out; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34391/06]

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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On foot of a recommendation of the National AIDS Strategy Committee, my Department and the Crisis Pregnancy Agency commissioned the Irish Study of Sexual Health and Relationships (ISSHR) in 2003.

The results of that survey form the basis of this report. The survey was conducted by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) and the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) and is in line with research in other European countries. Its purpose is to provide useful information on attitudes and behaviours and to provide a benchmark for evaluating the impact of our policies and practices in relation to HIV and other STIs and in relation to our overall sexual health.

The main report was launched last week. Three Sub-Reports focusing on 'First Sex and Sex Education', 'Sexual Health Challenges and Related Service Provision' and 'Contemporary Sexual Knowledge, Attitudes and Behaviour' will be published in the coming months.

The findings are significant and convincing and send a clear message to policy makers, to parents, to teachers, to health care providers, and to society in general.

The report strongly suggests the need for a sexual health strategy to be prepared by my Department and the HSE with the involvement of other key stakeholders. A comprehensive strategy and action plan will be developed swiftly once the three further reports are issued within the next three months.