Ciara Conway (Waterford, Labour)
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248. To ask the Minister for Health to outline the actions he will take to improve awareness and knowledge of sexual health and healthy sexual relationships, particularly among young persons, in view of the debate on the age of sexual consent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7272/14]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The HSE Crisis Pregnancy Programme currently is tasked with improving knowledge and awareness of sexual health and relationships through the delivery of targeted communications campaigns, customised information and educational programmes and other initiatives across a range of settings. The Programme runs and funds a range of sexual health information and education campaigns targeted to groups identified by research as having particular sexual health information needs, such as children and adolescents, 18-24 year olds, women aged 35-55 and parents, as well as early school leavers, young people who have experienced first sex before 17 years, and other minority groups.

In addition, the development of a National Sexual Health Strategy is nearing completion. This Strategy acknowledges the importance of developing healthy attitudes to sexuality throughout childhood and adolescence and builds on that foundation for positive sexual health and wellbeing into adulthood and older age. I intend to submit the Strategy to Government for approval as soon as possible.