Medical services and social welfare entitlements for refugees and people given leave to remain
Medical services
The Local Health Office in the area where you are living will provide for your medical needs. The Reception and Integration Agency will help you find a general practitioner (GP). The Agency will also write to the manager of the Local Health Office to inform him/her of your arrival and suggest that you be given the opportunity to avail of medical screening and dental care. The Principal Dentist will also be informed of your arrival so that your dental health needs are looked after.
The medical services you received as an asylum seeker will continue if you have been granted refugee status or leave to remain, as there is no difference in the provision for asylum seekers and Convention refugees and people given leave to remain.
The receptionist at the local health centre (see 'Where to apply' below) will provide you with a medical card application form, which you should complete and return to the Local Health Office as soon as possible. The medical card allows you and your family to access medical services free of charge. If you do not apply for and receive a medical card, you will be asked to pay for certain medical services. A medical card issued by the Health Service Executive enables you to receive free general practitioner services; prescribed drugs and medicines (with some exceptions); in-patient public hospital services; out-patient public hospital services; dental, optical and aural health services; medical appliances; maternity and infant care services; a maternity cash grant of €10.16 on the birth of each child and psychological services for those traumatised by torture, rape or other critical life experiences,
- A Local Health Office may have waiting lists for these services and may have to give priority on the basis of medical need.
- If you are pregnant or have small children, you should contact the local public health nurse (PHN) at your local health centre. The nurse will keep in touch with you during your pregnancy and after the birth of your child and will offer help and advice.
- If your income is too high to allow you avail of a medical card, you are entitled to general hospital services, which are mostly free of charge. Other services, such as GP services, must be paid for. It is possible to take out medical insurance to cover you and your family's medical needs.
Social welfare entitlements
If you have refugee status you are entitled to apply for social welfare payments on the same basis as an Irish citizen. Each social welfare payment has rules and conditions attached. You will satisfy the Habitual Residence Condition, but you will have to meet other conditions. There is a broad range of social welfare entitlements. Your local social welfare office will help you to apply for the correct payment for your situation - see 'Where to apply' below.
If you have leave to remain, you are entitled to apply for social welfare payments as above. However, if you are getting a social welfare payment this may affect the renewal of your leave to remain or an application for citizenship.
The following are some examples of social welfare payments:
- You have the right to work, so if you are able to work but are currently unemployed, you can apply for Jobseeker's Allowance.
- If you are unable to work due to disability or illness you can apply for
Disability
Allowance.
If you are unable to work because you are a lone parent you can apply for the One-Parent Family Payment. - If you are the parent or guardian of a child you can apply for Child Benefit.
While waiting for a decision on your application for a social welfare payment, you can apply for Supplementary Welfare Allowance. Apply to your local Community Welfare Officer at your local health centre - see 'Where to apply' below.
Where to apply
Contact your local health centre and your local social welfare office.
Related Documents
- Services and entitlements for people seeking asylum in Ireland
Services you may expect while you are an asylum seeker living in direct provision accommodation in Ireland provided under the Dispersal Programme. - Medical services and entitlements for asylum seekers
Medical services and entitlements available to asylum seekers. - Refugees and asylum seekers
This document describes the process for seeking asylum in Ireland and services for refugees in Ireland.
Contact Us
If you have a question relating to this topic you can contact the Citizens Information Phone Service on 0761 07 4000 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 9pm) or you can visit your local Citizens Information Centre.