Frances Fitzgerald
Question:59 Ms F. Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Health if he will give details of the current waiting lists at the drug treatment centres in Dublin. [11314/96]
Written Answers. - Drug Treatment Centres.
Limerick East): I understand from information supplied by the agencies involved that the total number of people on waiting lists for methadone maintenance treatment in drug treatment centres in Dublin is approximately 720. This figure may not be accurate, since it is likely that some patients may appear on the waiting list of more than one centre.
The Eastern Health Board is in the process of implementing its service plan, which, when implemented, will provide additional treatment for an additional 1,100 patients. The service plan includes involving more general practitioners in the prescribing of methadone to drug misusers who have been stabilised in community drug treatment centres; the provision of an interim methadone programme in the City Clinic and Aisling Clinic, enabling a further 50 patients to be treated in each clinic; the establishment of a mobile methadone treatment service; the provision of drug treatment services at a number of other locations in the Dublin area. These locations will be decided in consultation with local communities and the establishment of a seven day dispensing service (services operate on a five day basis at present) in community drug centres.
It is intended that this plan will be implemented by the end of the year.