Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 June 2022
364. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the engagement that his Department has had with the relevant stakeholders in relation to the refugees arriving from Ukraine and the coordination of services, supports and resources which are presently being delivered in an ad-hoc manner by volunteers attempting to meet the needs of those fleeing the Russian invasion. [28546/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is vital that we provide the best, holistic response to ensure the safety of, and provide support to, Ukrainian people arriving in Ireland as a result of the conflict in Ukraine.
It is a priority for the Department and the HSE to ensure that Ukrainian refugees are provided with appropriate health and social care services.
The Senior Officials Group(SOG) meets weekly to coordinate the government response to the Ukrainian Refugees including the provision of healthcare services.
A Stakeholder Group is being expanded to improve representation with the inclusion of additional civil society groups, departments and Tusla.
Work is underway to analyse forecasting scenarios. Forecasting arrivals is challenging as it is dependent upon many factors including the evolving situation in Ukraine and policy decisions by other closer countries.
A cross-departmental Daily Situation Report has been developed which includes information on take up of Medical Cards, etc.
A Data Subgroup of the SOG is developing a geo-coded analysis of accommodation capacity and availability of public services including health services.
The responsibility of providing accommodation for refugees rests with the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. The Department of Health and the HSE have submitted a list of potential properties to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, which is currently carrying out a review of medium to long-term housing options with regard to refugees.
Community Response Forums have been established in every local authority, chaired by the Chief Executive, to coordinate the community-led response in the provision of assistance and support to Ukrainian refugees as they are accommodated around the country. Through the efforts of local volunteers, community workers, public bodies and private sector contributions many recent arrivals are being supported with basic needs including access to healthcare.
A health service support model had been operational at Dublin Airport since the beginning of the crisis and includes the provision of generic health information, Covid safety packs, support with medical card queries, and the following core health supports:
- Immediate medical assessment / provision of prescriptions for existing conditions.
- Management of minor ailments and first aid requirements.
- Identification of immediate complex health issues which require pathways into secondary acute or community services (e.g. cancer and disability services).
From 23 May 2022, Citywest Convention Centre is functioning as the National Interagency Accommodation Transit and Processing Centre for those displaced by the war in Ukraine entering via Dublin Airport and Port. Accounting for approx. 85% of all arrivals. Services have ceased at Dublin Airport and the HSE will expand the service currently being delivered in Citywest to include supporting the completion of an individual health questionnaire/check by those transiting through the centre to identify health conditions which require ongoing therapeutic or medical intervention.
The HSE has established a number of dedicated workstreams underpinning its national coordination efforts, including one which focuses on ‘Disability Services’. This is chaired by the HSE Disability Specialist for Quality Improvement and meets weekly to provide updates from the National Coordination Group, identify challenges that organisations or CHOs are dealing with and develop solutions.
The HSE National Disability Operations Office is working with the Community Health Organisations, its funded disability service providers, and representative bodies, to manage and co-ordinate appropriate responses for children and adults with disabilities.
HSE Disability Specialist for Quality Improvement meets with the Heads of Disability Services in each of the Community Health Organisation Areas weekly to ensure that a pathway for disability screening and assessment as Ukrainians arrive into Ireland is being undertaken – Ukrainians are then placed on the normal referral pathways for Children’s Disability Network Teams, Primary Care Occupational Therapy for equipment, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, and Day Services.
The HSE’s National Disability Operations are also coordinating the disability health response in conjunction with Disability Umbrella Groups and DCEDIY.
An Information Pack is being finalised for families with disabilities and this will be available on www.hse.ie/ukraine under “Disabilities” – this information pack sign posts people with families to supports and services available to them.
