Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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522. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated number of persons that his Department believes to be HIV positive; the measures being taken to combat new HIV infections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20786/16]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Weekly HIV & STI Report, published by the HSE Health Protection Surveillance Centre, indicated that in week 26 - 2016 (26 June - 2 July) that 4 Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections were notified. the total number of notifications is 274 for the year to date. The Weekly HIV & STI Report for week 52 - 2015, published on 6 January 2016 , indicates that a total of 498 infections were notified in 2015, an increase on the total of 372 for 2014. HIV has been a notifiable disease since 1 January 2012.

The National Sexual Health Strategy 2015 – 2020 and Action Plan 2015 – 2016 were launched in October 2015. The National Sexual Health Strategy aims to improve sexual health and wellbeing and reduce negative sexual health outcomes by ensuring that everyone living in Ireland has access to high quality sexual health information, education and services throughout their lives. The Strategy contains 71 recommendations that address a wide spectrum of sexual health services, from surveillance and prevention, to treatment, counselling and supports, to education and professional development.

The Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) has reported that the greatest burden of STIs falls among those aged under 25 years and among men who have sex with men (MSM). Accordingly, the Strategy aims to target ‘at risk’ groups for specific interventions. These interventions include ensuring that all campaigns and interventions targeting those most at risk of negative sexual health outcomes will be inclusive with regard to the diversity of sexual experiences and identities; developing and maintaining positive prevention, access to condoms, testing, targeted education and outreach; and identifying and establishing links with other relevant strategies, particularly those relating to vulnerable and at-risk groups, to ensure their sexual health needs are addressed.

The Sexual Health Action Plan for 2015 - 2016 identified 18 priority actions across clinical services, education, communications and governance / structures. These actions aim to enhance sexual health prevention and treatment services at both population level and also address issues specific to men who have sex with men. The Action Plan commits to the development of a further Action Plan for 2017 - 2020 to complete the implementation of the Strategy.