Labour TD Demands Urgent Action to Improve HIV PrEP Access

Labour TD Conor Sheehan has urged the Irish government to enhance access to HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), citing distressing wait times faced by the LGBTQI+ community. This call to action follows the establishment of the national HIV PrEP scheme in 2019, which offers the medication for free to eligible individuals.

PrEP is a highly effective HIV prevention method, reducing the risk of transmission from sexual activity by approximately 99% and from injection drug use by a minimum of 74%. Despite its efficacy, the accessibility of this crucial medication has become a pressing issue, with 809 individuals currently on waiting lists for PrEP appointments as of September 2025.

Concerns Over Growing Wait Times

In a parliamentary inquiry directed to Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, Sheehan requested detailed information on current waiting times for PrEP through the Health Service Executive (HSE) sexual health programme, broken down by clinic for both 2024 and early 2025. Official records indicate that there are 13 public HSE clinics in Ireland offering PrEP.

The situation varies significantly across different regions. For instance, two clinics in the Midwest reported a two-week wait time in 2024, but have since closed to new appointments for self-referrals in 2025. In the Dublin and North East area, one clinic experienced a waiting period of approximately six months in 2024, which has now escalated to nine months. The other clinic in the same area has a wait time of about four months for new self-referrals this year.

In contrast, some clinics have seen improvements. For example, the third HSE clinic in the Dublin and Midlands area has shifted to an online booking system, releasing new appointments weekly. Additionally, a clinic in the South East has reduced its wait time from six months to three months over the past year.

Call for Expanded Services

Sheehan described the rising wait times as “deeply distressing,” particularly for those in his constituency of Limerick, where he noted that waiting lists for self-referrals are now completely closed. He stated, “This is simply unacceptable,” emphasizing the urgent need for the government to allocate more resources toward PrEP services nationwide.

A spokesperson for the HSE commented on the situation, stating that while many clinics have waiting lists for self-referrals, they continue to accept urgent referrals, which do not contribute to the waiting list. They pointed out that individuals on waiting lists may already be receiving care through alternative services or are seeking to transfer to a more convenient location.

Despite the availability of private clinics, which some individuals have turned to in order to bypass the lengthy wait times, Sheehan remarked that Ireland consistently ranks last in the European Union for LGBTQI+ healthcare access. He reiterated that improving access to PrEP is essential, as it plays a vital role in preventing HIV transmission.

In summary, the call for better access to PrEP highlights a significant gap in healthcare services for the LGBTQI+ community in Ireland. With the emphasis on timely access to this crucial medication, it is clear that further action is needed to ensure equitable healthcare for all citizens.