Chlamydia cases here have increased by nearly one-third.

The annual report from the Well Woman Centre shows there were 253 cases of the infection in 2014 - an increase of 32% on the previous year.

This is the second highest figure in 13 years.

A record 5,000 people were tested for chlamydia across the three Dublin clinics of the organisation last year.

The number of people presenting for testing for chlamydia also reached the highest level ever in 2014 - with 5,042 tests conducted - a 20% increase on the same figure for 2013.

Alison Begas, chief executive of the Dublin Well Woman Centre, says that despite increased awareness about sexual health, prevalence rates for certain STIs are still rising at an alarming rate.

"These results highlight the need to expedite publication of the National Sexual Health Strategy...These diseases are becoming more prevalent, and we need action from the HSE now", she said.

It also shows a marked increase in the use of long acting reversible contraception (LARCs).

The figures show a 27% increase in the number of LARCs fitted in 2014 when compared to 2013. This is the first year that the number of LARCs fitted exceeded 1,000 - the total for the year was 1,117.

The report has also found fewer women are availing of free cervical screening.

Since a peak of nearly 10,000 tests in 2009, numbers presenting for a free smear test have declined year on year with just 7,198 presenting for a test in 2014, a drop of 26% on the 2009 figure.