improving government service delivery to minority ethnic ... - NCCRI

Methodology
The NPAR will undoubtedly provide the basis for a more pro-active approach to the provision of services
for minority ethnic groups although it is still at a relatively early stage (it covers the period 2005–2008) and
there is as yet no statutory provision for the enforcement of hard targets and an absence of the kinds of
indicators which would enable such targets to be benchmarked. In that sense it is more difficult to speak
of mainstreaming, targeting and benchmarking in the same way as in the cases of Northern Ireland and
Scotland. It would probably be fair to say that many of the initiatives in service provision by public authorities
for ethnic and immigrant groups do not arise directly from formal legislative or statutory requirements
although the general context created by the legislation referred to above is clearly relevant. Whether one can
speak of ‘mainstreaming’ in such circumstances must be arguable, apart from the distinct area of action on
discrimination, where effective legislation and institutional arrangements, as described above, are in place. This
is in no way to minimise the progress made within many statutory organisations.
We have therefore sought to identify a number of cases whereas it can clearly be said that service provision for
minority ethnic groups has been mainstreamed or targeted, whether or not a legal framework is in place and
whether or not benchmarks are used in the sense of specific quantitative and/or qualitative targets which must
be met within a specified structure and timeframe.
Data was gathered following detailed interviews with l7 expert individuals in education, health, employment
and policing, using a modified version of the questionnaire developed by the Northern Ireland project partners.
Valuable feedback was provided by means of focus group work with up to 25 people from ethnic minority
groups through the good offices of Integrating Ireland, an umbrella group representing new minorities in Ireland.
Mainstreaming
Health
The Irish health system has been going through a period of change in recent years and health services are
regarded as a key issue at national political level. Major reforms in management and administration are in train at
present, with the abolition of the former Health Board structure in January 2005 and its replacement by a new
Health Service Executive (HSE), although still answerable to the Department of Health and Children. Services
for minority ethnic groups need to be seen against this background context of major change and significant
pressures on existing services.
Reorganisation has also been taking place in the Department of Health and Children. A notable development
has been the establishment of a Social Inclusion Unit, which will facilitate a new opportunity for Social
Inclusion issues such as the health and support needs of persons from minority ethnic groups to be explored
and addressed in a more comprehensive and integrated way than previously. In collaboration with the HSE,
this Unit will be involved in such related areas as the National Anti Poverty Strategy and other targeted anti
poverty initiatives including RAPID and CLAR, all of which have much relevance for service users from minority
ethnic communities.
The HSE’s own Social Inclusion Care Unit is also responsible for the development of a National Intercultural
Strategy for the health sector, based on principles of inclusiveness, participation and community development.
The HSE has recently committed to developing a National Intercultural Health Strategy and plans to carry
out extensive consultations in autumn 2006. There are currently plans for six pilot schemes. The current
development of a National Equality Strategy by the HSE is also relevant.