The Minister for Public Health says the service benefits those who would prefer not to attend a face-to-face service.
Over 10,000 home STI testing kits are being ordered every month.
Minister for Public Health Hildegarde Naughton says over 100,000 orders for free kits were made up to November of 2023, up from 91,000 for the whole of 2022.
Just over 900 people reported having HIV, MPox or an STI in the midlands last year, which was one of the lowest figures among regions in the country.
Of those who have availed of a testing kit in 2023, just over four in ten say they've never had an STI before.
Deputy Naughton says the service is successfully reaching key population groups, who prefer not to attend a face-to-face service.
She also says:
"I am delighted with the additional access that home STI testing provides, providing a discreet and confidential service for users, leading to quick diagnosis and intervention for those that have a reactive test result.
It’s providing increased opportunities for diagnosis and treatment which is particularly important in the context of rising STI rates, both nationally and internationally.
"The service illustrates the Government’s prioritisation of sexual health and wellbeing, and we have been making great progress implementing delivering and expanding additional services that support everyone’s sexual health; including through the free contraception scheme and the National Condom Distribution Service.
Funding for the STI home testing service totalled €3,550,000 in 2023 and I’m delighted that this has been increased to €4.27 million in 2024 which will help us to meet demand."
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