Students push sexual health agenda

CUT the tax on condoms and extend screening for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) — this is the pre-election message for the Government and opposition parties from young people.

As part of its Sexual Health Awareness and Guidance (SHAG) Week 2007, the Union of Students in Ireland is handing out free condoms and information about safe sex, along with listings for STI clinics and sexual health services.

But the 30,000 recipients of the information will also be asked to sign a petition calling on the Government to implement three measures. USI is seeking:

* Reduction in VAT on condoms from 21% to 5%.

* Extension of STI screening services in Ireland through more clinics and GPs.

* Requirement on each Health Service Executive (HSE) region to offer clinics based on local needs.

The union’s welfare officer, Kelly Mackey, said the high price of condoms is a matter of deep concern for young people, as is the lack of STI screening and the absence of sexual and reproductive health services in many communities.

She said EU law allows reduced tax rating on contraceptive products, a move taken in Britain last year when VAT on condoms fell from 17.5% to 5%.

“Young people expect each party to state whether they intend to deliver in these three areas, should they be elected to form the next government,” Ms Mackey said.

Around 10,000 STI cases were reported in Ireland in 2005, including 389 new cases of HIV. The most common STI is chlamydia, with more than 3,300 cases reported in 2005. Of all chlamydia cases in 2004, seven out of 10 were in those aged from 20-29.

A 2005 survey showed that Irish people were more likely than other nationalities to have unprotected sex with a partner whose sexual history they did not know. Irish people also claimed to have had 11 sexual partners each, compared to an international average of eight.