Vol. 527 No. 5
152 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Health and Children the recommendations of the public health specialists on mandatory health screening for people coming here who may be travelling from areas of high health risk; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29043/00]
As part of the initial reception process for asylum seekers, communicable disease screening is offered on a voluntary basis to such persons during their stay at reception centres in Dublin. This service is offered in the interests of the asylum seekers themselves, their families and the community generally. The uptake for the service is approximately 75% and efforts continue to achieve further improvement in uptake. The health boards in other parts of the country have also been asked to ensure that screening is offered to asylum seekers accommodated in their area and who have not availed of screening during their stay in Dublin.
The approach to be adopted in relation to communicable disease screening for asylum seekers was reviewed earlier this year by a group representative of the directors of public health and my Department. Amended guidelines were prepared and issued. These recommend that screening be offered for tuberculosis, hepatitis B and polio. The guidelines do not preclude other investigations deemed necessary on clinical or public health grounds.
