Ireland has unveiled a sweeping new National Sexual Health Strategy aimed at transforming access to sexual health services over the next decade, with a strong emphasis on prevention, equity, and integration across the healthcare system.
The strategy, covering the period from 2025 to 2035, was launched by Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill and Minister of State for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy Jennifer Murnane O’Connor. It sets out a comprehensive framework to address the evolving challenges of sexual health in Ireland, including rising rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), persistent stigma, and unequal access to care.
“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,” said Carroll MacNeill at the launch. “Our focus now is on continuing to develop and expand services that meet the needs of our population at every stage of life.”
Access to services
The strategy builds on the foundation of the 2015-2020 plan, which was extended during the Covid-19 pandemic. It introduces four core goals: promoting sexual health education, expanding equitable access to services, supporting reproductive choice, and strengthening surveillance and research. The first of three action plans, covering 2025–2028, was published alongside the strategy and outlines immediate implementation steps.
Among the key measures are expanded access to contraception through the Free Contraception Scheme, increased availability of STI testing – including home testing kits – and enhanced support for HIV prevention and treatment, including Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) and Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP).
The strategy also commits to developing a new Model of Care for sexual health services, with a focus on geographic equity and integration into primary care.
Murnane O’Connor described the strategy as “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,” she said.
Supporting justice sector
The strategy also includes a commitment to support the Justice sector and Cuan in preventing domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV), and to align with Ireland’s international obligations under EU, UN, and WHO frameworks.
The Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) welcomed the strategy, highlighting the increasingly central role of community pharmacies in delivering sexual health services.
“As the most accessible healthcare providers, Irish community pharmacies play an increasingly important role in delivering sexual health services as part of community-based healthcare,” an IPU spokesperson said.
Pharmacists already provide emergency contraception without prescription, dispense free contraception to women aged 17–35 under the HSE-funded scheme, and offer confidential consultations on STI prevention and treatment. They also dispense PrEP to eligible individuals and administer HPV vaccines privately to those aged 16–44.
Empowering pharmacists
The IPU said it was particularly encouraged by proposals to empower pharmacists to initiate and extend prescriptions for contraception and to dispense PEP, especially in rural or out-of-hours settings.
“This expanded role is welcomed and promises to enhance the sexual health services provided by pharmacies,” the spokesperson said. “However, adequate resourcing is essential to ensure its success.”
Europe’s rising STI rates
The strategy’s publication comes amid growing concern across Europe about rising STI rates and uneven access to prevention and treatment services.
According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), infections such as gonorrhoea, syphilis, and chlamydia are increasing in nearly all EU/EEA countries, with significant variation in national responses.
Northern and Western European countries – including Sweden, the Netherlands, and Germany – have led the way with comprehensive sexual education and robust public health campaigns. In contrast, several Southern and Eastern European nations continue to face cultural and financial barriers to implementing similar measures.
Access to HIV prevention tools such as PrEP also varies widely. France, Germany, and Spain have established national programmes with strong uptake, while many Central and Eastern European countries lack formal initiatives due to regulatory or funding constraints.
Surveillance systems are similarly inconsistent.
Nordic countries maintain real-time data collection, while others struggle with underreporting and limited laboratory capacity. The ECDC has warned that antimicrobial resistance in gonorrhoea is an emerging threat and has called for greater harmonisation of policies and improved access to services across the bloc.
Ireland’s new strategy aligns with these EU-wide priorities, particularly in its emphasis on integrated care, expanded access, and data-driven policy. The government has committed to cross-sectoral collaboration and public engagement in shaping the next two action plans, due in 2028 and 2031.
“The urgency of coordinated action is clear,” said Professor Mary Horgan, Ireland’s Interim Chief Medical Officer. “Sexual health is a key part of overall health and wellbeing, but also of wider public health and of infection control.”
With the publication of the National Sexual Health Strategy 2025–2035, Ireland has positioned itself at the forefront of a renewed European effort to address sexual health with clarity and inclusivity.
