Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 7 Nov 2000

Vol. 525 No. 2

Written Answers. - Refugee Medical Services.

Seán Ryan

Question:

141 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to warnings from some doctors that they may withdraw services from asylum seekers as a result of the insufficient resources and support they receive; the steps being taken to address the concerns expressed by the doctors; if he will ensure that adequate medical services remain available to asylum seekers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24531/00]

Bernard Allen

Question:

426 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will review the emergency services available for refugees and asylum seekers in view of the decision by a group of general practitioners in Kerry to withdraw emergency services as a result of the lack of adequate resources. [23844/00]

Bernard Allen

Question:

458 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will introduce a national protocol so doctor's practices involved in treating asylum seekers receive additional resources to allow them cope with the extra workload. [24079/00]

Bernard Allen

Question:

460 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has received a proposal from the IMO that refugees and asylum seekers would no longer visit general practitioners but be treated at a number of centres where the asylum seekers are located; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24081/00]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin):

I propose to take Questions Nos. 141, 426, 458 and 460 together.

Broadly speaking asylum seekers throughout the country have been accommodated within the GMS without any appreciable difficulty, except in a small number of localised instances. This has been due to a significant degree to the positive approach of general practitioners and the consultative stance adopted by health boards in this matter.

One of the localised areas of difficulty is in Kerry and I am informed by the Southern Health Board that the position there is as follows. At present, there are in excess of 400 asylum seekers located in five towns throughout County Kerry. The majority of these asylum seekers have been assigned to individual general practitioners who are providing primary health care services. The board is experiencing some difficulties in certain locations where general practitioners have refused to accept additional asylum seekers on their panels. As a result, the board has entered into detailed negotiations with these general practitioners and the Irish Medical Organisation. The board is currently finalising revised arrangements for the provision of primary care services to asylum seekers through general practitioners and it is expected that these revised procedures will enable a full primary care service to be delivered to these persons.

Having regard to the above, I have no proposals in regard to introducing national initiatives under the GMS in this area, nor have I received any specific national proposals from the Irish Medical Organisation on this matter. However, in the context of the ongoing discussions that take place between that organisation and my Department, it has been identified by it as a subject that it would like to raise for discussion at the next meeting.