Tenders are being sought from firms to provide 500,000 HSE branded condoms and 250,000 branded lubrication packets as part of ongoing efforts by the executive to prevent unplanned pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases. The tender is estimated to be worth €50,000 and the condoms will be given out free across the country. The HSE National Sexual Health Strategy 2015 -2020 records that sexually transmitted disease notifications increased by 279 per cent from 3,361 in 1995 to 12,753 in 2013 while HIV cases increased to over 500 in 2016. “The NCDS supports sexual health campaigns and services targeting young people and MSM (men who have sex with men) communities. Condoms and lubricant sachets are provided through a variety of channels, such as sexual health education programmes, HSE clinical/non-clinical services, outreach work and events.”The condoms are to be delivered by July.

Source: The Irish Times February 16, 2018 17:37 UTC