The number of HIV cases being diagnosed in Ireland is on the rise and a new awareness campaign is needed to highlight the risks of the disease, the chairman of the Oireachtas Health Committee has said.

According to Jerry Buttimer, who is also a Fine Gael TD, such a campaign is especially needed to highlight the risk among young gay men.

"The number of HIV cases being diagnosed in Ireland is on the increase. Most of those being diagnosed are gay and bisexual men, and they are being diagnosed at a younger age. A new awareness campaign on sexual health and HIV in particular is essential if we are to reverse this trend," he insisted.

He pointed out that in 2013, 347 people were newly diagnosed with HIV compared to 319 in 2011.

"Among gay and bisexual men, diagnosis rates have increased by 160% between 2005 and 2012, from 60 to 161, now representing almost half of all new HIV cases," Mr Buttimer said.

He believes that a lack of awareness, along with a lack of testing, is resulting in some people being diagnosed at a late stage. He also believes that current policies ‘are not reducing HIV rates'.

"Many young gay men, for instance, simply were not around to witness the dramatic impact HIV and AIDS had during the 1980s and 90s. HIV and AIDS does not form part of their cultural awareness. They don't view the disease as a credible threat," he said.

However, he emphasised that this should not be seen as a ‘gay problem'. In fact in 2012, there was a 12% increase in the number of heterosexuals newly diagnosed with HIV, so this is an issue that affects people irrespective of their sexual orientation.

"Although HIV/AIDS no longer have the same immediate and devastating consequences as in the 1980s, they are still very serious conditions. As a society we cannot afford to let an increasing occurrence happen without taking measures to counteract it," Mr Buttimer added.