For Release:  15th June 2010

Dublin AIDS Alliance calls for political will to address ten years of rising figures of HIV infections in Ireland.
Figures released today by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) show that 395 new cases of HIV were reported in 2009.  The past ten years has seen an upward trend in the number of HIV infections being reported in Ireland.
Commenting on the figures Mary O’Shea Executive Director of Dublin AIDS Alliance stated:

‘These figures demonstrate that Government is failing to prioritise HIV and sexual health on the political agenda.  The issue of HIV and AIDS has become more and more invisible. It is vital that Government plays a leading role in addressing this issue.
Stigma and Discrimination continues to be experienced by people living with HIV both in the labour market and in health and social settings. Political will and leadership are necessary to support sustainable, comprehensive and effective HIV prevention.
The publication in 2008 of HIV and AIDS Education and Prevention Plan 2008-2012 was a welcome development with many excellent recommendations.  However, many of these recommendations need to be resourced.
Reduction in funding by Government for vital services is short sighted. Failing to invest in prevention will have greater cost implications for treatment in the long term.
One of The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) is ‘to halt and begin to reverse the spread of HIV and AIDS’ by 2015. The United Nations Political Declaration which was approved in 2006 committed world leaders (including Ireland) to work ‘towards the goal of universal access to comprehensive prevention programmes, treatment, care and support by 2010’.  We are now in 2009 and we urge Government again to place HIV and sexual health on the political agenda as we enter this critical phase of reaching the goals already signed up to by World Leaders.

Dublin AIDS Alliance (DAA) is again calling on Government to put HIV and sexual health on the political agenda and to:

• Introduce a National Sexual Health Strategy

• Implement and resource the HIV and AIDS Education and Prevention Plan 2008- 2012 which has many positive recommendations.

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• Expand testing and screening for HIV and STIs to community settings.

• Make condoms freely available to vulnerable groups and people who cannot afford them.

To mark Irish AIDS Day Dublin AIDS Alliance are providing free access to HIV testing and counselling on Tuesday 15th June from 9.30 to 12.30. No appointment necessary.
The Dublin AIDS Alliance works to promote HIV and sexual health awareness and provide a range of services including information and advice, counselling, advocacy, community support, outreach and provision of education and training on HIV and sexual health.