Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Question 53: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the increase in the number of persons who contracted HIV or Aids here in 2009; if her attention has been drawn to the factors that have led to this increase; if any public awareness campaign is planned to ensure that people protect themselves against contracting HIV or Aids; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45556/09]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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The figures for newly diagnosed HIV infections released last week refer to the first two quarters of 2009. Final figures for 2009 have yet to be compiled by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre of the HSE. The increase in the number of new diagnoses in recent years has arisen largely due to the increase in population over that time and the inward flow of immigrants from areas of high endemic HIV. Figures for 2008 and the increase in the first two quarters of 2009 also showed a particular increase in the number of diagnoses among men who have sex with men.

HIV prevention requires a multi-sectoral approach involving statutory and voluntary agencies as well as people living with HIV. This approach has been promoted through the National AIDS Strategy Committee. The implementation of Relationships and Sexuality Education in schools as part of the national curriculum is a basic component of the prevention strategy. The health and education sectors work in partnership with NGOs to support schools in the delivery of this curriculum in a manner that aims to meet the needs of young people, with more specifically designed programmes for young people most at risk. Ongoing investment is also made by the health sector in delivering safer sex messages to the broader youth population through direct advertising and marketing campaigns in places of entertainment etc. These campaigns have become a key part of the sexual health promotion infrastructure in Ireland and over the past 15 years have continued to reinforce the core message of condom use and early testing.

The National AIDS Strategy Committee's HIV and AIDS Education and Prevention Plan 2008 – 2012 was launched last year to provide a roadmap for HIV and AIDS Education and Prevention. It presents six key areas for action among seven population groups at particular risk of HIV infection. The plan was developed by the Education and Prevention sub-committee of the National AIDS Strategy Committee and was informed by research conducted by NUI Galway and by the findings of the Irish Study of Sexual Health and Relationships.