Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 July 2023
1382. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Health if his Department or the HSE have previously provided funding to an organisation (details supplied) to support sexual health and awareness packs to students in higher education institutions; if he intends to do so in future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36913/23]
View answerA settings-based approach to health promotion maximises disease prevention by utilising a whole systems approach, thereby addressing the wider determinants of health. The settings that are addressed in the Healthy Ireland Strategic Action Plan include, homes, communities, cities and counties, schools, campuses, clubs, prisons and workplaces.
The Healthy Campus Charter and Framework is rolled out by the Higher Education Authority (HEA), in partnership with Healthy Ireland in the Department of Health. The HEA leads the strategic development of Higher Education Institutions in Ireland.
The Framework offers guidelines to third-level institutions to build on existing wellbeing actions and assists with the integration of health and wellbeing across the whole campus including teaching and learning, student supports and services, staff development, and policies. It also assists in identifying opportunities in the campus environment, whether social or academic, that can help foster an ethos of care, compassion, and inclusion. Specific recurring ring fenced funding is provided by Healthy Ireland to the HEA for a full-time Healthy Campus Coordinator, who has been in place since July 2022, and is responsible for driving the Framework's agenda.
The Framework takes a holistic approach to health and wellbeing including physical, mental, and social health with a focus on prevention and early intervention. At an operational level, many higher education institutions will have Healthy Campus Steering Groups actively working to coordinate and support student wellbeing across their day-to-day operations.
The Department of Health and the HSE Sexual Health and Crisis Pregnancy Programme have supported sexual health on 3rd level campuses through the National Condom Distribution Scheme. The NCDS supplies free condoms to the national network of STI clinics, to NGOs and service providers working with high-risk cohorts, and through participating 3rd level campuses since 2019. In 2023, free condoms are also being provided with orders from the home STI testing service.
The free contraception scheme for women, which covers prescription contraception, was introduced in September 2022 for women ordinarily resident in Ireland and aged 17-25. The scheme was extended to women aged 26 from 1 January 2023. It covers the cost of consultations with GPs and family planning centres and prescriptions for the wide range of contraceptive options available on the HSE Re-Imbursement List, including long-acting reversible contraception (LARCs: injections, intra-uterine devices and systems (coils) and implants) and emergency contraception in addition to the contraceptive Pill, patch and ring. LARC fittings, removals, injections and check-ups are also free of charge under the scheme. Approximately €32m was allocated to support the scheme in 2023
Student health providers were consulted in preparation for the launch of the scheme; almost 1,900 pharmacies and approximately 2,400 GPs, primary care centres, family planning clinics and student health clinics have signed up to provide services and products under the scheme to date.
My Department did engage with the Union of Students in Ireland previously with regard to period poverty, in preparation for the publication of the Period Poverty In Ireland Discussion Paper; the USI were members of the NSWG sub-committee on period poverty that prepared the paper.
My Department has not engaged with USI to support sexual health and awareness packs to students in higher education institutions directly; however, the HSE Sexual Health and Crisis Pregnancy Programme has engaged with HEIs and NGO partners with regard to sexual health programmes on campus.
In order to respond to the query regarding HSE funding, therefore, as this is a service matter, I have also asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
