Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Independent)
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To ask the Minister for Health the reasons for the delay in the development of a national sexual health strategy and his target month in 2013 for the publication of same [9492/13]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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My Department commenced the development of a National Sexual Health Strategy on 12th May 2012. 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 due to be published next week.

A high level steering group has been established to lead the development of the Strategy. The steering group is overseeing 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 June for my consideration.