Dinny McGinley
Question:162 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to reports on health screening of refugees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24502/00]
Written Answers. - Refugee Health Screening.
Bernard Allen
Question:423 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will outline his position on the compulsory screening of refugees, having regard to his statement that it would be legally unsound. [23841/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 162 and 423 together.
As part of the initial reception process for asylum seekers, communicable disease screening is offered on a voluntary basis to such persons during their stay at reception centres in Dublin. This service is offered in the interests of the asylum seekers themselves, their families and the community generally. The uptake for the service is approximately 75% and efforts continue to achieve further improvement in uptake. The health boards in other parts of the country have also been asked to ensure that screening is offered to asylum seekers accommodated in their area and who have not availed of screening during their stay in Dublin.
In order to have the appropriate information and advice available to inform policy in relation to screening, my Department recently sought expert advice on the legal, ethical and public health issues involved. However, the Government has no plans to make communicable disease screening of asylum seekers compulsory.