Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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The Government is committed to delivering a humanitarian response to welcome people fleeing the war in Ukraine and seeking protection in Ireland as part of the EU response. Upon arrival, refugees from Ukraine are granted temporary protection status. Under this measure, they are considered ordinarily resident in Ireland for a limited time period and are entitled to access health care services, in line with other refugee groups and Irish citizens.

It is a priority for my Department and the HSE to ensure that Ukrainian refugees are provided with appropriate health and social care services. Ukrainian refugees are entitled to apply for a medical card to access primary care services for each adult and child dependent as well as ongoing care of priority medical conditions such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease and other chronic illness. Over 40,000 medical cards have been granted to Ukrainian refugees to date. Ukrainian Refugees can also seek medical care while awaiting a medical card.

For those with urgent medical needs, healthcare services are provided through the public hospital system. Ukrainian refugees can also receive health care services including access to Covid-19 vaccinations, GPs, community care and hospital or emergency care, as well as access to services for children’s health, mental health, disabilities, maternity care, older people and many more.

The HSE has arranged a range of bespoke GP services for those accommodated in hotels and other settings. The exact model for each site varies, however all have access to GP Out-of-Hours services, while those staying in private accommodation can register with local GPs.

In addition, Ireland has organised 27 medical evacuations of Ukrainians in need of emergency care and provided €4.3 million in medical humanitarian donations for the Ukraine health system as part of the EU health response.

A HSE digital health questionnaire is now live for Ukrainian refugees to register. Medical cards are now linked with an Individual Health Identifier (IHI), through the PPS number assigned to the individual , which in turn will be linked in with the HSE digital health questionnaire. This will enable GPs to access information regarding their own individual patients.

Department of Health and the HSE officials maintain regular contact with counterparts in other Departments and agencies on an ongoing basis on a wide range of issues concerning the provision of services to Ukrainian refugees.

They meet representatives from the local authorities on a regular basis to discuss issues in relation to accommodation and services in the area, to support Ukrainian refugees, i.e. availability of Housing, GP services etc. The HSE is also represented on the Ukrainian community forums convened by local authorities.

The HSE assists Irish NGOs in the planning to bring humanitarian aid to Ukraine, and in the movement of people with disabilities from Ukrainian conflict zones. It meets with Disability Workstream (Umbrella Bodies, Red Cross, TUSLA, Heads of Disability HSE etc.) on a bi-weekly basis.

It is vital that we continue to stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine. My Department and the HSE will continue to work with colleagues across Government to ensure every health support we can provide is made available.