Vol. 512 No. 7
66 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Health and Children his views on the suggestion that asylum seekers should be required to undergo mandatory health testing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27060/99]
Certain infectious diseases which are comparatively rare in Ireland are more prevalent in some other countries and in the interests of asylum seekers themselves and of the indigenous population it is important that they should be screened and receive appropriate treatment as soon as possible after arrival in Ireland.
Arrangements are in place in the Eastern and Southern Health Board areas for the screening of asylum seekers on a voluntary basis. However, not all asylum seekers avail of these services and it is considered desirable that the uptake of screening be improved. Consideration is being given at present to ways in which this might be achieved. However, I have no plans to require asylum seekers to undergo mandatory health screening.
