Dáil debates
Thursday, 9 November 2023
Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions
Ukraine War
9:20 am
Cathal Berry (Kildare South, Independent)
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4. To ask the Minister for Health to outline the direct support his Department has provided to Ukrainians living in Ukraine in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48996/23]
Cathal Berry (Kildare South, Independent)
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What direct medical supports has the Minister’s Department provided this year to Ukrainians living in Ukraine, and will he make a statement on the matter?
Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Deputy and acknowledge his own work. He is part of the seven-person team in the University College Dublin, UCD, trauma project, the initiative led by UCD professors Gerard Bury and Chris Fitzpatrick. Professor Fitzpatrick and I have been going back and forth on this project for some time. I know that the Deputy was involved in training for 100 personnel and that the visit focused on procedures to counteract haemorrhaging and deal with combat wounds, so I acknowledge his own role, which is greatly appreciated. It is fantastic to see an Oireachtas Member, one of our own doctors and an ex-member of our Defence Forces playing a leading role on the ground in Ukraine in this lifesaving way. I thank him for everything he has done, and his six colleagues who have gone out to Ukraine. I fully intend to keep supporting the UCD trauma project. It is fantastic.
Ireland's health service has strongly expressed its solidarity with our Ukrainian counterparts. The Ukrainian health minister asked me some time ago whether we could pair one of our hospitals with theirs. We have done that and it is bearing fruit. Humanitarian medical aid is provided by the Irish health service as part of a wider Government response to the outrageous and illegal invasion by Russia of Ukraine.
To date, the health service has donated nearly €9 million in medical supplies to Ukraine. This is being done through collaboration between the health service, the Government, Ukrainian nationals working in Ireland, private donors and civil society partners. The donations have included lifesaving medical equipment, medicines, ambulances and a generator. In addition, medical beds, aids and appliances and medical consumables have been supplied.
Cathal Berry (Kildare South, Independent)
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I thank the Minister. That was an impressive list of supports, which is good and which I welcome. I want to single out UCD’s Ukraine trauma project for two reasons. First, I thank the Minister for his €170,000 support and his personal intervention, without which it would not have happened. Second, I highlight the six people involved. They are very humble people who have never asked for any recognition and it is important the House acknowledge their contribution. It was the brainchild of Professor Gerard Bury, Professor Chris Fitzpatrick, Dr. Niall Conroy and two excellent advanced paramedics from the National Ambulance Service, namely, Mr. Ben Heron and Mr. Niall Carty, as well as a doctor called Roxana, who is a Ukrainian living in Portarlington. What is unique about the course, as the Minister pointed out, is that the 100 students have got about €1,500 worth of medical kit, in the form of tourniquets, field dressings and advanced drugs. I have no doubt the course has saved a considerable number of lives.
I thank the Minister for his support. The country can rightly be proud of the project's contribution.
Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Deputy. I had the easy job; he had to go to Ukraine and work on the ground, so I thank him. As I said to Professor Fitzpatrick, if the UCD team is looking to go out again and needs that support, the State and the Department of Health will certainly not be found wanting. We have an allocation this year, and a similar one next year, of €50 million to provide services. It is a combination of providing services to Ukrainians coming here, mainly women and children fleeing the atrocities of the war, and we will continue to provide those supports. I acknowledge the work of healthcare professionals, both our own and Ukrainian ones, who have come here. It does not get much comment or notice, but a very substantial healthcare service has been put in place to make sure those who are fleeing war get the supports they need. I take the opportunity to acknowledge that. In every part of the country, our healthcare professionals are stepping up once again to meet the need.
Cathal Berry (Kildare South, Independent)
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I acknowledge also the role of the Irish Embassy in Kiev, which has been very hospitable and generous when we are out there. Likewise, I acknowledge Mr. Peter Ott, a Kildare man working for an NGO out there, Caritas, which is very supportive, as well as retired Lieutenant Colonel Ray Lane, who is working with the UN from a mines-clearance point of view. I am reassured by the Minister's comments. Knowing Professor Gerard Bury, I am sure he is already planning the next course for 2024. Of course, we will be very grateful for the Minister's continuing support in that regard.
Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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That is very clear; they will have my full support to keep going with this. As for some of the other supports that have been provided so far, 23 decommissioned ambulances are fully kitted out, loaded with additional medical supplies and ready to use. There are more than 7,000 blood bags and reagents from the Irish Blood Transfusion Service and nearly 6,000 items of medical equipment and consumables, including critical care equipment, diagnostics, therapeutics and infant care equipment, which was fantastic to see out there.
I recall seeing some of the photographs of it being unwrapped and deployed in Ukraine. As the Deputy will be aware, we have also sent non-lethal military aid from different parts of Government.