Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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746. To ask the Minister for Health the steps that he is taking to ensure that those experiencing homelessness can access GP services (details supplied); his plans to develop appropriate services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58076/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Addressing the health needs of homeless persons and improving their access to healthcare services is a priority for the Department of Health and the HSE.

Currently, health services for the homeless population are delivered by multiple providers including Statutory Services, Non-Government Organisations and charitable organisations.

The HSE’s National Office for Social Inclusion, together with a number of organisations, work to improve access to health services for people from vulnerable groups. Contact information for a range of supports for people who are experiencing homelessness, including access to healthcare, is available on their website.

The HSE National Medical Card Unit, Local Health offices and Staff within homeless services can provide assistance with the medical card application process and access to GP services.

Covid-19 brought into focus the significant health inequalities faced by socially excluded groups such as people who are homeless. In 2021, the Department of Health provided additional funding of €11 million to enhance health services for people who are homeless, and continue the protective public health measures for the medically vulnerable and Covid positive homeless population, and continuity of care for people who are homeless.

In the following year, Minister Feighan provided another €10m in Covid funding in 2022 to maintain public health measures and to consolidate improvements in health services for people who were experiencing homelessness and addiction, that occurred in the earlier months of the Covid-19 pandemic.

There were a total of 17 initiatives funded as part of these COVID-19 measures. One of the main aims of these initiatives was the provision of increased GP capacity for this population. Covid-19 and the associated control measures to protect the wider population have had the potential to exacerbate existing health inequalities amongst vulnerable populations. In order meet the health needs of the homeless population, GP capacity was increased across several CHO areas with this funding. The main goals of this initiative was to ensure access to healthcare, making sure individual needs are met, whilst minimising risk of coronavirus transmission.