Health Committee to focus on health service issues for Irish diaspora

Those attending the meeting tomorrow are: Minister of State at Departments of the Taoiseach and Foreign Affairs and Trade with special responsibility for the Diaspora Jimmy Deenihan TD; Dr Mary Tilki, Chair and Jenny McShannon, CEO, Irish in Britain; Brian O'Dwyer, New York Lawyer and activist on behalf of the Irish Community in the USA and Mike Carroll, Member of the Irish-American Bar Association of Attorneys.

Committee Chair Jerry Buttimer, TD said: “Just like the profile of Irish diaspora, the health issues facing Irish communities in the UK and the USA are varied. For example, many of the older generation who emigrated in the 1950s, 60s and 70s may now find themselves in an economically vulnerable situation with little savings to meet rising healthcare costs, while in the US, undocumented emigrants are not eligible for public assistance and routine medical procedures are not covered. Tomorrow’s meeting provides us with an opportunity to look at the various health issues facing Irish communities in the UK and the USA and consider what can be done to help the more vulnerable and exposed emigrants. We’re delighted that Minister of State at Departments of the Taoiseach and Foreign Affairs and Trade with special responsibility for the Diaspora Jimmy Deenihan TD; Dr Mary Tilki, Chair and Jenny McShannon, CEO, Irish in Britain; Brian O'Dwyer, New York Lawyer and activist on behalf of the Irish Community in the USA and Mike Carroll, Member of the Irish-American Bar Association of Attorney have agreed to address the committee on this important issue. They are in a position to provide us with a unique and valuable insight into the health issues of emigrants and we’re looking forward to a thought-provoking, constructive and interesting discussion. The meeting also provides us with an opportunity to consider the Emigrant Support Programme, and its role in supporting the health needs of vulnerable Irish communities with Minister Deenihan.”

This meeting will start in Committee Room 2, Leinster House at 9.30am, Thursday, 11th December 2014.

Committee proceedings can be followed live here.


Committee proceedings can also be viewed on the move, through the Houses of the Oireachtas Smartphone App, available for Apple and Android devices.

Media Enquiries to:

Ciaran Brennan,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2

Committee Membership:

Deputies: Jerry Buttimer (Chair), Catherine Byrne, Ciara Conway (Vice-Chair), Regina Doherty, Robert Dowds, Peter M Fitzpatrick, Seamus Healy, Billy Kelleher, Eamonn Maloney, Clare Daly, Sandra McLellan, Dan Neville, Mary Mitchell O’Connor, Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin and Robert Troy

Senators: Colm Burke, John Crown, John Gilroy, Imelda Henry, Marc Mac Sharry and Jillian Van Turnhout