Migrant background and children’s use of healthcare services in Ireland

For the first time in history, there is an emerging cohort of children of migrants living in Ireland. In order to understand and respond to their healthcare needs, and, to facilitate their families’ integration and assimilation, there is a need to understand how frequently the children of these migrants encounter the healthcare system. Using two cohorts of the Growing up in Ireland study, this research finds that children of immigrant families represent a growing, diverse demographic in Ireland. This investigation shows that some children of migrants are less likely to use healthcare services.