Copyright thejournal
We need your help now Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open. You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough. If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it. One-off amount I already contribute Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you. An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more. Investigates Investigates Money Diaries The Journal TV Climate Crisis Cost of Living Road Safety Newsletters Temperature Check Inside the Newsroom The Journal Investigates Daft.ie Property Allianz Home The 42 Sport TG4 Entertainment The Explainer A deep dive into one big news story Sport meets news, current affairs, society & pop culture have your say Or create a free account to join the discussion Advertisement More Stories Alamy Stock Photo 'Deeply distressing for LGBTQI+ community': Labour TD calls for better access to HIV PrEP Two HSE clinics in the Midwest area remain closed for new appointments for self-referrals. 6.01am, 3 Nov 2025 Share options LABOUR TD CONOR Sheehan has called on the government to provide better access for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) through the HSE, stating that long wait times are “deeply distressing” for members of the LGBTQI+ community. The government introduced the national HIV PrEP scheme in 2019, and the drug is available for free for individuals who are eligible and who would benefit from taking it. PrEP is a HIV medicine taken by people who do not have HIV. Taken correctly, it reduces the risk of getting HIV from sex by about 99% and from injection drug use by at least 74%. Advertisement As of September 2025, there are 809 people on waiting lists for PrEP appointments. In a parliamentary question submitted to Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, Sheehan requested a list of the waiting times through the HSE sexual health programme, by clinic, for 2024 and to date in 2025. There are 13 public HSE clinics where patients can receive PrEP in Ireland. Two clinics in the Midwest area had a wait time of two weeks in 2024, but are closed to new appointments by self-referral in 2025. There are two HSE public PrEP clinics in the Dublin and North East area. In 2024, one of those clinics had an approximate six-month waiting period for self-referrals to access PrEP, while in 2025 that waiting time has increased to nine months. The second clinic in the Dublin and North East area recorded no data for 2024 but wait times are approximately four months for self-referrals in 2025. In the Dublin and Midlands area, wait times doubled in two out of three of the public HSE clinics in 2025, from six months to one year and from three months to six months respectively. Reduced wait times in some clinics There are some clinics where wait times have improved, however. The third HSE clinic in the Dublin and the Midlands area had a wait time of six months in 2024, while in 2025, new appointments are being released weekly via an online booking system. In one Dublin and South East clinic, appointments were closed to new self-referrals last year but appointments are now being released weekly via an online booking system. The second clinic in this area has halved its wait time from approximately six months to three months for new appointments. Wait times in the HSE South West area have halved from six months to two months. Three public clinics in the North West and West area have an approximate wait time of two months, two weeks and four to six weeks respectively. Need for more services Responding to the parliamentary question, a spokesperson for the HSE said: “While many services have waiting lists for self-referrals, they continue to accept urgent referrals who are offered an appointment to be seen within one month and [those] are not included on a waiting list. “Waiting lists need to be interpreted with caution. Services report that when they contact individuals on their waiting list to offer them an appointment, a proportion are already engaged with a different PrEP service. “In addition, some individuals who attend a service for the first time are seeking to transfer their care to a more convenient location rather than actually access PrEP for the first time.” The Journal previously spoke to individuals who opted to attend private clinics to receive prescriptions for PrEP due to HSE waiting times. “It is deeply distressing to see that waiting times for PrEP appointments have increased across most parts of the country,” Sheehan told The Journal. ”In fact, it feels like we are going backwards. “For people in my own county Limerick and the Midwest, the situation is even more shocking — waiting lists are now completely closed to new applications. This is simply unacceptable.” Sheehan has urged the Minister for Health to expand and resource PrEP services across the country to ensure timely access to the drug, stating that “PrEP is a vital tool in preventing HIV transmission yet access to it remains inconsistent and, for too many, out of reach”. “Ireland consistently ranks last in the EU for the provision of and access to LGBTQI+ healthcare, and it is clear that our broader sexual health services are also failing to meet need,” he said. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Support The Journal Conor Brummell View 5 comments Send Tip or Correction Embed this post To embed this post, copy the code below on your site Email “'Deeply distressing for LGBTQI+ community': Labour TD calls for better access to HIV PrEP”. Recipient's Email Feedback on “'Deeply distressing for LGBTQI+ community': Labour TD calls for better access to HIV PrEP”. Your Feedback Your Email (optional) Report a Comment Please select the reason for reporting this comment. Please give full details of the problem with the comment... This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy before taking part. Leave a Comment Submit a report Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines. Damaging the good reputation of someone, slander, or libel. Racism or Hate speech An attack on an individual or group based on religion, race, gender, or beliefs. Trolling or Off-topic An attempt to derail the discussion. Inappropriate language Profanity, obscenity, vulgarity, or slurs. Advertising, phishing, scamming, bots, or repetitive posts. Please provide additional information Thank you for the feedback Your feedback has been sent to our team for review. Leave a commentcancel Newly created accounts can only comment using The Journal app. This is to add an extra layer of security to account creation. Download and sign into the app to continue. Access to the comments facility has been disabled for this user View our policy ⚠️ Duplicate comment Post Comment have your say Or create a free account to join the discussion LGBTQI+ healthcare News in 60 seconds Classroom Crisis Special schools, Gaelscoileanna and DEIS schools facing difficulties in recruiting teachers Géarchéim sna Seomraí Ranga Gaelscoileanna, scoileanna spéisíalta 's DEIS thíos le folúntais fad-théarmacha de réir suirbhé How much do you know about K-pop? Path to Power Newstalk conducting review of Ivan Yates's work at the station after Fianna Fáil revelation Man driving on the M4 armed with suspected firearm arrested by gardaí Here's What Happened Today: Sunday spending and saving Money Diaries: An investment banker on £112K who moved to London last year Cambridgeshire Only one man now a suspect in train stabbing in England as police rule out terrorism Rain warning issued for four counties this evening Tyrrelstown Man arrested in probe into death of man who presented at hospital with serious injuries Path to Power Newstalk conducting review of Ivan Yates's work at the station after Fianna Fáil revelation more from us Investigates Money Diaries The Journal TV Journal Media Advertise With Us About FactCheck Our Network FactCheck Knowledge Bank Terms & Legal Notices Terms of Use Cookies & Privacy Advertising Competition more from us TV Listings GAA Fixtures The Video Review Journal Media Advertise With Us Our Network The Journal FactCheck Knowledge Bank Terms & Legal Notices Terms of Use Cookies & Privacy Advertising Competition © 2025 Journal Media Ltd Terms of Use Cookies & Privacy Advertising Competition Switch to Desktop Switch to Mobile The Journal supports the work of the Press Council of Ireland and the Office of the Press Ombudsman, and our staff operate within the Code of Practice. You can obtain a copy of the Code, or contact the Council, at https://www.presscouncil.ie, PH: (01) 6489130, Lo-Call 1800 208 080 or email: mailto:info@presscouncil.ie Report an error, omission or problem: Your Email (optional) Create Email Alert Create an email alert based on the current article Email Address One email every morning As soon as new articles come online
