Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 204: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she has read the recent Amnesty International report, Breaking Down Barriers: Tackling Racism in Ireland at the level of the State and its institutions; and the steps she intends to take in order to address the shortcomings the report identified within her Department and within the State's health service generally. [13207/06]

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The increasing numbers of people from different ethnic minority groups living and working in Ireland has contributed to a rich mix of diversity in the country. At the same time, the need to address the health and support needs of this diverse group in a way appropriate to their culture, has posed challenges for the health services. A number of initiatives have been undertaken aimed at ensuring equal access to health care including the launch of the booklet, Equal Status Acts 2000-2004 and provision of health services. This booklet has been developed as a collaborative initiative by my Department, the HSE and the Equality Authority. It aims to support health service organisations in becoming fully equality competent bodies, committed to ensuring an equality focus on all aspects of service provision and employment. Another initiative is the development of a national equality strategy by the HSE, the initial steps of which have already commenced. The national intercultural strategy, addressing the health and support needs of persons from ethnic minorities, has been developed. This strategy, consistent with the requirements contained in the national action plan against racism, will build on the good practice already reflected throughout the country in ensuring a responsive, culturally sensitive approach to service provision to the unique health care and support needs of asylum seekers, refugees, migrant workers, Travellers and other members of minority ethnic communities.

Much work has been done in parts of the country to reduce barriers experienced by ethnic minorities. Specific measures include the completion of an equal status review in the north west of Ireland, the provision of a range of services targeted at specific health needs of people from ethnic minorities and the provision of interpretation services in different administrative areas. Experience from these and other related initiatives will inform expansion or enhancement of relevant services across the country. Significant efforts have also been made in relation to staff training and support needs in working with people from minority ethnic communities. Plans concerning the roll-out of a national programme are at an advanced stage.

The development of an ethnic identifier, successfully piloted in the area of Traveller health, is a priority for the HSE in 2006. Information gained from use of the ethnic identifier will be applied towards identification of needs, measurement of uptake of services and evaluation of outcomes. Service users from ethnic minorities will be actively involved in planning, implementation and evaluation of this and all other relevant initiatives.