Aid agency Concern has accused the Government of not doing enough to educate the public about the risks of HIV and AIDS.
Statistics show that one new case of HIV is reported in Ireland every day.
Speaking on World AIDS Day, Concern spokeswoman Breda Gahan said: "HIV and AIDS is technically 100% preventable.
"Young people have to be informed through school of the risks and dangers of contacting sexually transmitted infections, including HIV and AIDS.
"If the awareness is not kept at a high level, there is a sense of complacency, which results in new infections."