Ireland’s free PrEP programme was meant to be a game-changer in HIV prevention. But for hundreds of people—especially in the LGBTQI+ community—it’s become a waiting game with dangerous consequences.

Labour TD Conor Sheehan recently called out the crisis: over 800 people are stuck on waiting lists for PrEP appointments, with delays stretching up to a year in some areas. Clinics in the Midwest have stopped accepting new referrals altogether. For a country that once led the way in making PrEP free and accessible, this is a deeply distressing setback.

💊 Why PrEP Matters

• Reduces HIV transmission risk by up to 99% when taken correctly
• Empowers individuals to take control of their sexual health
• Supports broader public health goals of ending new HIV transmissions

But access is everything. Without timely appointments, the promise of PrEP is hollow. LGBTQI+ people—who already face disproportionate risk and systemic barriers—are being let down by a fragmented system.

🏥 What Needs to Change

• Expand clinic capacity and staffing
• Reopen self-referral pathways nationwide
• Prioritize high-risk groups in scheduling
• Ensure regional equity in access

PrEP isn’t just a pill—it’s protection, peace of mind, and progress. Ireland must recommit to making it truly accessible. Because prevention delayed is prevention denied.