Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Independent)
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To ask the Minister for Health the progress made to date in developing a sexual health strategy; the target date for the finalisation and publication of this strategy; and if it will be completed by the end of this year as promised [50580/12]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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My Department commenced the development of a National Sexual Health Strategy earlier this year. This initiative is intended to formulate a strategic plan for the delivery of services in this area. This plan will focus on improving sexual health and wellbeing and address the surveillance, testing, treatment and prevention of HIV and STIs, crisis pregnancy, and sexual health education and promotion. The Strategy will be in line with the forthcoming Public Health Policy Framework.

A high level steering group has been established to lead the development of the Strategy. The steering group will oversee the drafting of the National Sexual Health Strategy, which will take the form of a high level strategic action plan. The steering group, supported by a number of working groups set up to address different areas, is making good progress and I expect the final draft strategy to be submitted by the end of the year or early in 2013 for my consideration.