Mairéad Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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2479.To ask the Minister for Health the cost in introducing funding for the distribution of 50,000 Sexual health and Guidance packs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33136/24]

Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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A 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. Free condoms are also being provided with orders from the home STI testing service.

The free contraception scheme was launched in September 2022, for women and girls ordinarily resident in Ireland, aged 17-25. The scheme was gradually extended to women aged 17-31 inclusive and was further expanded on July 1st, 2024 to include women aged 32-35. Almost 2,400 GPs and 2,050 pharmacies in all regions of the country have signed up to provide services and products under the scheme to date; it can be accessed across the country. Following the most recent expansion, the budget for the scheme in 2024 is approximately €48m.

Student health providers were consulted in preparation for the launch of the scheme. Almost 2,050 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 free contraception scheme to date.

In drafting a successor to the National Sexual Health Strategy, a feedback exercise involving student health centres and other campus stakeholders was run by my Department in collaboration with the HEA Healthy Campus Co-Ordinator. I would like to thank the large number of stakeholders and facilities that have responded to inform the new Strategy.

In order to respond to the specific query regarding the approximate cost of 50,000 guidance packs, as this is a service matter, I have also asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.