Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 March 2026
96. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the status of the Sexual Health Strategy recommendation to develop a comprehensive, evidence-based and fit-for-purpose model of care for sexual health; the progress made to date; the timeline she is working towards; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17722/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraSexual health is a priority for this Government. The National Sexual Health Strategy, 2025-2035 (NSHS) and the first National Sexual Health Action Plan, 2025-2028 (NSHAP; included in the same document) were approved by Government on 10th June, 2025 and published on 25th June, 2025. Both are currently available on the Healthy Ireland website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/healthy-ireland/policy-information/national-sexual-health-strategy-2025-2035/
The scope of the Strategy is wider than that of its predecessor, encompassing a wide range of HSE services and schemes. The Implementation Group has met on a number of occasions so far and a number of sub-groups are commencing work. Work commenced on the Model of Care in 2025. The HSE advise that the Sexual Health Model of Care is currently under development. It is expected that it will be completed in Q4 2026.
Service improvements detailed in the Strategy have been ongoing while it was being finalised; additional supports were allocated to free home STI testing, HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) and the free contraception scheme in Budget 2025. The PrEP funding included support for 7 WTE within the network of public STI clinics from July, 2025. These staff are now in position and supporting additional capacity for PrEP appointments within the public system.
Additional access to healthcare services for the delivery of a specialist clinic for the treatment of female genital mutilation (FGM) was also supported. This proposal seeks to address an identified need for FGM specialist care to marginalised women, support continuity of care, and support an initiative to reduce waiting times. This service is offered at no cost to the client(s).
The Health Research Board Evidence for Policy research grant call also resulted in the award of two research grants supporting the NSHS in late 2024; these are the PrEPtimise project, aiming to streamline delivery of the public PrEP Programme (awarded to TCD and St. James's Hospital) and the SHIFT project, which is researching possible behavioural drivers of the increases in STI rates (University of Galway; 2 years). Both research programmes are making good progress.
The Healthy Ireland Survey, 2025, included modules on contraception and menopause. Additional research is underway in collaboration with the National Women’s Council and TCD, to assess the awareness and experiences of women from key groups, qualitatively, in terms of their access to the Free Contraception Scheme. This research is currently scheduled for publication in Q2, 2026.
In Budget 2026, additional supports were put in place for information programmes supporting RSE and SPHE in schools, HIV anti-stigma measures, interventions addressing DSGBV awareness and further allocations for PrEP medication and period dignity, all of which are included in the Strategy.
Current priorities include forthcoming legislation to enable the prescription of contraception under certain circumstances through pharmacies, and commencing work on the HIV Action Plan. The Sexual Health Services Sub-Group of the NSHS Implementation Group has been convened and will oversee the current stakeholder consultation to inform the HIV Action Plan, and subsequent drafting.
In summary, significant progress has been made in terms of implementing the Strategy and Action Plan, including with respect to the Model of Care.
