Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 December 2004
73 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she plans to ensure that all non-nationals here have adequate access to interpreter services for medical and dental treatment; if there is a facility for an accurate medical and dental history to be given to non-nationals by an interpreter in order that this can be used by any doctor and dentist; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31764/04]
View answer132 Dr. Twomey asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if interpreter services are available to dentists; the way in which dentists are informed on this issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31763/04]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 73 and 132 together.
As the Deputy will be aware, the provision of medical and dental services to eligible persons is a matter for the health boards-authority in the first instance. The health boards-authority make necessary arrangements with regard to interpretation and translation requirements as dictated by the particular circumstances.
Officials in my Department have been working with the regional health boards and the Irish College of General Practitioners to identify areas of difficulty for general practitioners providing services for patients who are non EU nationals. In this regard, additional funding of €1 million was allocated in 2004 by my Department to assist health boards address needs in this area. Within this allocation funding was also provided to allow the Irish College of General Practitioners to support their members through the continuation of the GP and Multicultural Society project.
