According to Fine Gael Public Health Minister Colm Burke, the HSE saw a “high uptake” of free STI home testing kits last year.
The Minister said that a total of 126,090 kits were ordered in 2024.
New data from the HSE’s Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC), from the final week of 2024, shows that the number of notified STI cases in 2024 was around 10% lower than in 2023 – mainly due to a reduction in the number of cases of chlamydia and gonorrhoea.
“Demand for STI home testing kits has risen steadily since the service was launched in 2022, with 91,000 kits ordered in that year, and 108,000 kits ordered in 2023,” the Department of Health said in a statement.
“The rate of returned kits has also risen, from 62% in 2022 to 69% in 2023 and 72.5% in 2024.
“Reflecting this increase, an additional €600,000 has been allocated for the service in 2025. This brings overall funding for home STI testing to €4.82 million in 2025.”
According to Minister Burke said he was “very pleased” to have secured this additional funding for what he called a “very important service”, “in recognition of the growing demand for discreet and confidential access to testing.”
“This service enables quick diagnosis, referral and intervention for those who receive positive test results, providing peace of mind and making it easier for people to be proactive about their sexual health,” he said.
“Most STIs, including Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and syphilis, are often asymptomatic and can lead to significant harm if undiagnosed, but they are treatable. Those who test positive for chlamydia now have the option of an online prescription, reducing the number of referrals to clinics for treatment.
“This is a very effective service which plays a critical role in safeguarding sexual health and in protecting overall population health. In line with the principles of Sláintecare, it illustrates our commitment to prioritising sexual health and wellbeing, and in expanding free services in this area.”
The Department of Health went on to describe the service as “very popular” since its launch, adding that “it has reached many people who may have been reluctant to attend an STI clinic in person.”
“In 2024, the percentage of people receiving reactive results was 9.7%, marginally lower than the rate recorded in 2023,” the Department said.
“The majority of results, just over 5,500, related to chlamydia, with many of these cases being managed via online prescriptions. Just under 1,800 people experienced a reactive result for gonorrhoea and were referred to a public STI clinic for follow-up in person. Approximately 1,550 patients were referred for follow-up blood tests for other STIs or HIV.
“Since September 2024, test recipients have had the option to receive free condoms and lubricants with their free test kits, through the National Condom Distribution Service. Approximately 4,400 people have availed of this option to date.
“2024 figures for the National Condom Distribution Service show that just over 1.2 million condoms and just under 800,000 lubricant sachets were ordered in 2024.”