Marcella Corcoran Kennedy (Offaly, Fine Gael)
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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 well-being 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.

As the budget allocated to sexual health services is an operational matter I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy in this regard.