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Press release

Ministers for Health publish the National Sexual Health Strategy, 2025-2035

The Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, T.D. and Minister of State for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy, Jennifer Murnane O’Connor, T.D. have today published the National Sexual Health Strategy, 2025-2035, following Government approval.

The strategy contains a number of commitments designed to support positive sexual health for everyone in Ireland, across all stages of life.

Priorities include: 

  • Expanding capacity and further developing testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including the home STI testing service. 
  • Increasing access to contraception by expanding the Free Contraception Service and the Free National Condom Distribution Service.
  • Building capacity to meet demand for HIV prevention and treatment including Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) and Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) and additional supports for people living with HIV.
  • Developing a Model of Care for sexual health services, focusing on prevention; diagnosis, treatment, information and surveillance for STIs and HIV, and on improving geographic equity.
  • Improving access to vaccines that support sexual health, such as the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine, Hepatitis A and B vaccines.
  • Supporting the work of the Justice sector and Cuan in domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV) prevention. 

The first of three action plans to enable delivery of the strategy has also been published today. Two further action plans will be published in 2028 and 2031.

Minister Carroll MacNeill said: 

“This comprehensive Strategy reflects the evolving opportunities and challenges we face and outlines the steps we must take to ensure a healthier future for everyone, no matter their age, gender, orientation, ethnicity, or background. Over the past decade, we have made significant progress since the first national sexual health strategy was published, recognising that positive sexual health is a vital part of overall health and wellbeing.

“Our focus now is on continuing to develop and expand services that meet the needs of our population at every stage of life. Our new action plan will guide our next steps, including measures to support those living with HIV and prevent its spread, as well as expanding access to PrEP and free contraception, in line with our Programme for Government commitments. We are dedicated to ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to live a healthy and fulfilling life and I look forward to working with Minister Murnane O’Connor, our Chief Medical Officer, Professor Mary Horgan, and all stakeholders to deliver on these commitments."

Minister Murnane O’Connor said:

“Today marks a significant step forward in our efforts to protect and promote sexual health and wellbeing for everyone living in Ireland. This Strategy reflects a modern, inclusive and evidence-based approach, one that empowers people with the information, access and support they need to make informed choices and avoid unnecessary risks, while supporting healthy relationships. By working collaboratively across sectors, we will continue to break down stigma and build a healthier, more open and more informed society for all.”

Interim Chief Medical Officer Professor Mary Horgan said:

“Sexual health is a key part of overall health and wellbeing, but also of wider public health and of infection control. We have included a significant number of measures that will support and enhance capacity for testing, diagnosis, early intervention and treatment for HIV and STIs, minimising the harm that can arise from untreated HIV and STIs.

“We will also play our part in supporting the vital work of the Justice sector and Cuan in preventing domestic, sexual and gender-based violence, and in working with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and our international partners, the EU, UN and WHO, to support our international commitments relating to sexual and reproductive health and rights.”

The full National Sexual Health Strategy 2025–2030 is now available at https://gov.ie/en/healthy-ireland/policy-information/national-sexual-health-strategy-2025-2035/

NOTES TO EDITOR

The first National Sexual Health Strategy was launched in 2015 and was a priority under the Healthy Ireland Framework and subsequent Strategic Action Plan, 2021-2025. Implementation of the Strategy and management of sexual health services are led by the HSE Sexual Health Programme (SHP). An independent final review of the Strategy, completed in 2023 by Crowe Ireland, found the first National Sexual Health Strategy to have been successful, with 49 out of 56 actions deemed successfully progressed.

The vision of the new Sexual Health Strategy is “that everyone in Ireland experiences positive sexual health and wellbeing and has access to high quality sexual health information, education and services throughout life.”

There will be cross-sectoral representation on the Implementation Group with responsibility for the Action Plan. Its work will include patient and public engagement that will help to inform the development of the second and third Sexual Health Action Plans to be launched under this Strategy, for 2029-2032 and 2032-2035.