A SEXUAL health awareness pack is to be distributed to third-level students throughout the State as part of a new safe-sex campaign by the Union of Students in Ireland.
The packs, to be given to some 45,000 students across college campuses, will contain condoms and information on contraception.
The USI says the aim is to encourage students to have safer sex and make informed decisions on contraception.
"There has been a dramatic rise in the numbers of sexually transmitted infections reported in Ireland. By running this campaign, USI want to encourage students to talk about their sexual health," USI welfare officer Ciarán Fitzpatrick said.
"There still seems to be a taboo when it comes to talking about sex-related issues. We want to break through these barriers and encourage people to practise safer sex and to look after their sexual health by getting screened for STIs [ sexually transmitted infections]," he added.
The SHAG (Sexual Health Awareness & Guidance) campaign, for which the slogan is "whoever you like, love safer sex", will focus on getting students in Ireland talking about sex and sexuality.
"While society has become more open, and the role of contraception is now discussed more freely, we still need to ensure that students understand the risks associated with unsafe sex," USI president Peter Mannion said.