Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 July 2017
609. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health if a mobile health screening unit to facilitate access to basic health screening, GP and nursing services by marginalised groups, refugees, asylum seekers and Roma communities has been provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33872/17]
View answer610. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health the number of staff in each CHO who have received training to date in 2017 on intercultural awareness and practice in health and social care. [33873/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 609 and 610 together.
€2.96 million was made available to the Department of Health from the Dormant Accounts Fund in 2016, which included provision of €1.46 million for a Mobile Health Screening Unit and €0.45 million to support an Intercultural Health Project for Refugees.
The objective of the Mobile Health Screening Unit is to provide an accessible, targeted screening and primary care service to a wide range of marginalised service users in settings such as hostels, prisons, Direct Provision Centres and Refugee Reception and Orientation Centres.
The Intercultural Health Project for Refugees aims to support the delivery of a range of health services to meet the emerging needs of the new residents of the Emergency Reception and Orientation Centres (EROCs) established in Clonea, Monasterevin and Ballaghaderreen.
I have asked the HSE to provide an update for the Deputy on these projects.
