The Government should develop a national plan for sexual health services along the lines of the national drugs strategy, a leading Aids support group has said.
"There is a particular job of work to be done in terms of awareness raising and prevention in respect of younger people," said the Dublin Aids Alliance's executive director, Mary O'Shea.
"Worryingly, for the first time in two years, there has been an increase in HIV in this country."
A total of 337 HIV infections were diagnosed during 2006 compared to 318 in 2005. The alliance says 64 per cent of all reported sexually transmitted infections in Ireland are contracted by people in their 20s.
"HIV needs to remain on the agenda and it is a matter of some concern to us that it is sometimes referred to as a '1980's disease'," Ms O'Shea said. "In Ireland, condoms are regrettably considered to be a luxury item with 21 per cent VAT applied to them, making this country the most expensive in Europe in which to buy a condom"
Ms O'Shea was speaking at an event unveiling The Don't Panic Guide to Sexual Healthby the Dublin Aids Alliance on sexual health and sexual health services in Dublin. The event was attended by Minister with responsibility for the National Drugs Strategy Pat Carey.