Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 31 March 2022
90. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Health the way that pregnant women arriving from the Ukraine to Ireland are being supported; if health checks are taking place in the airports; if he is liaising with maternity hospitals regarding the way to support these women; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16689/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraRefugees from Ukraine will be granted temporary protection status. Under this measure, refugees will be considered ordinarily resident in Ireland for a limited time period and therefore will be entitled to access health care services, in line with other refugee groups and Irish citizens.
Refugees will be provided with rapid access to basic priority primary care in emergency accommodation. The aim of this service is to identify the need for ongoing clinical care of priority medical conditions, to triage and to provide an assessment of healthcare needs of refugees.
All expectant mothers who live in Ireland are entitled to free maternity care. This covers antenatal visits, labour, delivery and postnatal care.
A specific urgent referral service at the Rotunda Hospital, for pregnant women near term or those who require urgent access for assessment has been put in place. A senior midwife has been designated to take calls from GPs and public health to fast track appointments for maternity cases and rapidly establish contact between maternity services and women who need care. This service is supported with interpreter services
Refugees will also be entitled to apply for a medical card for each adult and child dependents.
