Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 March 2022
973. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Health if he will consider putting in place a formal mechanism to allow retired persons with specific skills to assist on a voluntary basis in the effort to accommodate a large influx of Ukrainian refugees in local communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14525/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Health is liaising with other Government departments and agencies to provide humanitarian support for Ukrainian refugees arriving in Ireland. It is a priority for the Department and the HSE to ensure that Ukrainian refugees are provided with appropriate health and social care services.
Very significant planning and preparatory work is taking place across Government to provide accommodation and other essential supports to those who have arrived here already, as well as the large numbers of further people expected to arrive. This work is taking place with the support of the Irish Red Cross and NGOs and charities across the country.
The Department of Rural and Community Development is linking with key stakeholders at community level, including local volunteer centres, to provide information on the national response, support the co-ordination of immediate and ongoing integration and social supports through the local and community development sector, ensure complementarity with national and local government initiatives and enable flexibility in programme delivery to focus on the response.
I appreciate the social solidarity of the Irish people for the Ukrainian refugees and their desire to assist with the national effort to provide accommodation and other supports. I encourage those who want to volunteer their skills to contact local coordination bodies and volunteer centres.
