Dáil Éireann - Volume 531 - 22 February, 2001

Written Answers. - Health Services.

Mr. Howlin Mr. Howlin

100. Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Health and Children the statutory duties and responsibilities of health boards in regard to the health care of asylum seekers; if any special provision is made for the health care of asylum seekers in each health board area, in particular, the provisions made for help those who may be suffering from the effects of torture. [5293/01]

Mr. Martin Mr. Martin

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin): Health services for asylum seekers are provided by the health boards on the same basis as services to medical card holders generally, but are not subject to residency or means criteria.

As regards special provision of health care for asylum seekers, the individual health boards make such specific arrangements as deemed appropriate having regard to need in their respective areas. A number of health boards have arrangements in place to provide access to health screening to asylum seekers who wish to avail of such a service. The general position is that specialist services, including counselling arising from the effects of torture, needed by individual asylum seekers are accessed through the process of general practitioner referrals.

Question No. 101 answered with Question No. 93.

Dáil Éireann 531 Written Answers. Health Services.

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