Vol. 486 No. 2
61 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Health and Children his views on the need for a specialised treatment centre for refugees in Ireland suffering trauma by torture; if it is intended to take an initiative to provide a treatment centre; and his views on whether the current services available are inadequate to meet the need in this area. [2169/98]
87 Mr. Barrett asked the Minister for Health and Children his views on the need for a specialised treatment centre for refugees in Ireland suffering trauma by torture; if it is intended to take an initiative to provide a treatment centre; and his views on whether the current services available are inadequate to meet the need in this area. [2167/98]
130 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Health and Children the proposals, if any, he has for the introduction of health screening for persons seeking asylum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2214/98]
147 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Health and Children his views on the need for a specialised treatment centre for refugees in Ireland suffering trauma caused by torture; whether it is intended to take an initiative to provide a treatment centre; and his views on whether the current services available are grossly inadequate to meet the need in this area. [2339/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 61, 87, 130 and 147 together.
In November 1997, the Eastern Health Board developed a refugee medical centre as an integral part of the refugee unit on the campus of St. James's Hospital. The centre provides screening for refugees-asylum seekers presenting at the centre of both tuberculosis and hepatitis B and updating immunisations where appropriate.
The Eastern Health Board has special arrangements with six local general practitioners who provide interim medical services for refugees/ asylum seekers on arrival until such time as they are provided with a medical card and a choice of doctor and chemist. Special payment arrangements are made with the six doctors concerned and in fact one of the doctors utilises facilities in the refugee medical centre which the Eastern Health Board fully supports. Staff in the screening service work very closely with the general practitioners.
On the provision of a centre to provide specifically for the needs of refugee victims of torture, I understand there are differing views among specialists in this field on the need for the establishment of such a centre. However, there is agreement on the need to develop a psychological/ counselling service for refugees which would be associated with the health screening service outlined above with referral to the mental health services where appropriate. In this connection, I have made additional resources available to the Eastern Health Board this year to enable such a service to be established.
