Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 October 2010
265 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform when the joint Health Service Executive and Reception and Integration Agency forum was established; and the number and frequency of its meetings. [34596/10]
View answer266 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the measures that the Health Service Executive has recommended to the Reception and Integration Agency, in the course of the joint HSE and RIA forum, to avoid the sudden transferral of asylum seekers. [34597/10]
View answer267 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform when a Health Service Executive official with responsibility for child and family health related services within the asylum system will be seconded to the Reception and Integration Agency. [34598/10]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 265 to 267, inclusive, together.
The Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) and its predecessor, the Directorate for Asylum Support Services (DASS), have consistently engaged with the HSE through a number of fora since the introduction of the Government policy of direct provision. Discussions take place through inter-agency meetings, health liaison officer meetings, medical screening service meetings, working groups on matters such as healthy infant feeding guidelines, child protection, national parenting programme, psychological and other health service groups. It is important to note that the policy of direct provision involves, at its core, the provision of appropriate services directly to asylum seekers, i.e. are "mainstreamed", by the relevant Government Departments and agencies such as the HSE.
The High Level policy structure for meetings between the HSE (Social Inclusion Directorate) and RIA was set up in 2009 and 6 meetings have taken place with the latest such meeting held on 4 October, 2010. At these High Level policy meetings, all matters of common interest between the HSE and RIA are open for discussion. However, no formal position has been presented by the HSE in respect of RIA's policy on the transfer of residents between its accommodation centres at these meetings although, at the last meeting, a discussion took place in relation to the issue of advance notification to the HSE by RIA of planned closures or openings of centres to facilitate planning by the HSE.
In respect of the secondment to the RIA of an official from the HSE dealing with Child and Family Services, it should firstly be noted that the unit within RIA which deals with such services continues to operate, including in respect of child protection, Garda vetting and other key services. The officer previously seconded to the RIA from the HSE returned to the HSE in May of 2010 and the RIA has since written to and met with the HSE in respect of potential replacement candidates. The RIA is continuing to communicate with the HSE in the matter with a view to securing a replacement as soon as possible.
