Vol. 491 No. 6
171 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the links, if any, his Department has put in place with the Department of Justice to manage health problems of asylum seekers and refugees; the measures, if any, being taken as a result of contacts; the incidence of HIV, AIDS and hepatitis A and B among this group; the measures, if any, he is taking on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12703/98]
According to agreed procedures, asylum seekers presenting themselves initially to the Eastern Health Board authorities are referred to the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform where they are registered and are then referred back to the Refugee Unit on the campus of St. James's Hospital.
The Eastern Health Board provides a placement service and an income maintenance service for asylum seekers, on an agency basis, for the local authorities and the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs respectively. While in St. James's, asylum seekers are encouraged to attend the medical unit for screening, x-rays, etc. The Eastern Health Board has special arrangements with six local general practitioners who provide interim medical services for refugeeasylum seekers on arrival until such time as they are provided with a medical card and a choice of doctor and chemist.
In addition, the Eastern Health Board is currently working with the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform on the setting up of a "one stop shop" facility to asylum seekers. This will allow asylum seekers to be registered, have their applications processed, and avail of the services of the Eastern Health Board Refugee Unit and medical screening service. It is expected that this building will be ready for occupancy by October 1998.
The Eastern Health Board provides the screening and treatment service to asylum seekers on a voluntary basis. The conditions currently screened for are hepatitis B, tuberculosis and diphtheria. Immunisation is provided where indicated and contact tracing is also undertaken.
Figures for the incidence of HIV, AIDS and hepatitis B and C, broken down on the basis of nationality, are not routinely reported to my Department. In the case of HIV and AIDS, the figures supplied are on the basis of risk categories such as IV drug users. As the Deputy will be aware, testing for such infectious diseases is on a voluntary basis and protecting the confidentiality of the testing arrangements is vital to ensure that individuals continue to come forward for testing.
The scope of the current screening arrangements is currently being considered by my Department in conjunction with the Eastern Health Board.
