Vol. 515 No. 2
24 Mr. G. Reynolds asked the Minister for Health and Children the steps, if any, he will take to ensure that a health screening programme for asylum applicants is in place; his views on whether it is acceptable that the Eastern Health Board can only screen a maximum of 300 asylum seekers per month in view of the fact there is an average of 1,200 asylum applicants entering the health board region every four weeks; and the Government's policy in this regard. [4884/00]
136 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Health and Children the steps, if any, he will take to ensure that a health screening programme for asylum applicants is in place; his views on whether it is acceptable that the Eastern Health Board can only screen a maximum of 300 asylum seekers per month in view of the fact there is an average of 1,200 asylum applicants entering the health board region every four weeks; and the Government's policy in this regard. [5603/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 24 and 136 together.
The health boards are statutorily responsible for the control and prevention of infectious diseases in their areas of responsibility. My Department has advised all health boards of the necessity to establish appropriate arrangements to offer asylum seekers screening for certain infectious diseases and, where necessary, follow-up treatment. The Government's policy in relation to the provision of health screening for asylum-seekers is that such screening, which is in the interests of asylum seekers, their families and the community generally, should be offered to all such persons on a voluntary basis.
In recent months there has been a large increase in the number of persons applying for asylum in Ireland. In parallel with this, there has been a decline in the numbers availing of health screening in the Eastern Health Board region. In order to address these developments, and in line with Government policy, planning is under way at present for the establishment of asylum reception centres for short-term stay in the Dublin area. It is intended that these will include facilities for health screening, welfare and legal services. These new arrangements will enable screening to be offered in an integrated manner during the initial reception and processing of applications phase. It is hoped that in this way uptake can be maximised. The Eastern Health Board is involved, with my Department and the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, in the planning of the arrangements for these new facilities.
