Pádraig Rice
Ceist:1185. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health if there are plans to include screening for HSV1 and HSV2 in the HSE’s free home STI test kits; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2828/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 5 February 2025
Ceisteanna (1185)
Freagraí scríofa
Free home STI testing was rolled out nationally in 2022, following an initial pilot funded by the Sláintecare Integration Fund in 2021. HIV testing is included as part of the standard home STI test.
Since its launch in 2022, the National Home STI Testing Service has proven very popular and has added approximately 33% to national testing capacity. It has reached many people who may have been reluctant to attend an STI clinic in person.
Demand for STI home testing kits has risen steadily since the service was launched in 2022, with approximately 91,000 kits ordered in that year, 108,000 kits ordered in 2023 and 126,000 ordered in 2024. The rate of returned kits has also risen, from 62% in 2022 to 69% in 2023 and 72.5% in 2024.
Reflecting this increase, an additional €600,000 has been allocated for the service in 2025, bringing overall funding for home STI testing to €4.82 million in 2025. In 2024, the percentage of people receiving reactive results was 9.7%, marginally lower than the rate recorded in 2023. Health Protection Surveillance Centre reports published at the end of 2024 also indicate reductions in rates of gonorrhoea and chlamydia in 2024 as compared with 2023. It is possible that increased access to testing and subsequent treatment may be reducing rates of onward transmission. The reports can be accessed at: www.hpsc.ie/a-z/sexuallytransmittedinfections/publications/stireports/
Since September 2024, test recipients have had the option to receive free condoms and lubricants with their free test kits, through the National Condom Distribution Service. Approximately 4,400 people have availed of this option to date. 2024 figures for the National Condom Distribution Service show that just over 1.2 million condoms and just under 800,000 lubricant sachets were ordered in 2024.
As the inclusion of screening for HSV1 and HSV2 is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.