Vol. 456 No. 7
78 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the increasing drug problem in the Cherry Orchard area of Dublin 10; if his attention has further been drawn to the absence of adequate treatment facilities there; and if he will have arrangements made to have a counselling service provided in Cherry Orchard itself as a priority as requested by the residents. [14612/95]
Limerick East): As the Deputy will be aware the provision of services for drug misusers in Dublin is a matter for the Eastern Health Board in the first instance. The board already has a satellite clinic in Ballyfermot which would provide a service including counselling for patients from the Cherry Orchard area. A ten bed detoxification unit has also been opened at Cherry Orchard Hospital.
The opening hours at the satellite clinic have recently been extended to provide methadone maintenance for patients on the waiting list. I am aware, however, that a waiting list still exists for patients at the clinic and the Eastern Health Board is examining the options open to it with a view to further reducing this waiting list. The resources necessary to expand the range of services available to drug misusers in the Dublin area have been made available to the board.
