Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein)
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925. To ask the Minister for Health his views on concerns from psychologists that the appropriate mental health supports specific to the needs of some refugees from Ukraine are not available; the supports that are in place to deal with the specific needs of adults and young children who suffer from the experiences of war zones; the measures put in place to provide immediate counselling and similar supports to the refugees that need them or if they will have to apply for counselling though the traditional HSE mental health structure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54281/22]

Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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The Department of Health and HSE are coordinating the provision of healthcare services for more than 57,000 Ukrainian refugees who have been granted temporary protection as part of the Government humanitarian response to Ukraine. In addition to the Ukrainian refugees, the HSE is providing healthcare services for 17,000 applicants for international protection, 12,000 of whom are new arrivals in 2022.

The number of people granted temporary protection is unprecedented in the history of the State. This has given rise to a collective response which has been exceptional, from a national to a local level, in the face of the enormous operational, logistical and cost challenges presented by the high volume of arrivals.

People arriving from Ukraine will be affected by their experiences in their home country, on their journey here, and while in Ireland, in different ways. Many will be able to cope relatively well with appropriate practical supports, while others may experience distress and be at risk of developing persisting mental health difficulties.

Any Ukrainians who are experiencing mental health difficulties can access supports in line with normal admission and referral procedures. The range of mental health services delivered by, or on behalf of, the HSE is extensive, and ranges from the promotion of positive mental health and mental health services in primary care, to specialist community and in-patient mental health services.

Some of these supports have been tailored and/or translated with the needs of arriving Ukrainians in mind and will complement the general suite of mental health services. These include mental health information in Ukrainian and Russian, peer supports and more formalised person-centred services delivered by the HSE and funded partner organisations, including MyMind, the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, Aware, SpunOut and others.

MyMind have recruited Ukrainian-speaking therapists and is currently accepting Ukrainians for counselling and psychotherapy in English and a range other of languages free of charge.  

Within each Community Health Organisation, significant work has also been undertaken to plan and deliver a psycho-social response, based on presenting needs.

I am committed to providing appropriate mental health supports for all accessing the public health system, including refugees from the war in Ukraine. The Government is committed to meeting its obligations to those granted temporary protection in the short, medium and longer term.