Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 633: To ask the Minister for Health the progress of the HSE National Intercultural Health Strategy 2007-2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15132/11]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The HSE National Intercultural Health Strategy 2007-2012 provides a framework within which the health and care needs of people from diverse cultures and ethnic backgrounds are addressed, while staff are supported in delivering responsive, culturally competent services.

The implementation of the recommendations of the strategy are taking place on a prioritised phased basis over the 5 year time frame of the Strategy. This implementation comes under the auspices of the HSE National Social Inclusion Governance Group and its associated National Governance Group on Intercultural Health.

Notable achievements to date include the development of the HSE Emergency Multilingual Aid and an Intercultural Guide, while a resource aimed at supporting staff to effect translation of health related material is currently being produced.

Specific work continues around a range of areas including interpretation, gender based violence among minority ethnic women and issues around the health of asylum seekers and refugees. Within these areas, the approach taken is one of mainstreaming, where actions are aimed at enhancing access for all service users on an equal basis.