Vol. 473 No. 3
53 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that a drug referral and counselling programme proceeds immediately in the Coolock priority area, County Dublin, in view of the fact that the Eastern Health Board has promised such a service repeatedly over the past 18 months and has failed each time to deliver it. [25033/96]
Limerick East): The Eastern Health Board, which has responsibility for the provision of drug treatment services in its area, has included in its 1996 drug service development plan a number of proposals including the development of a series of local initiatives in various community care areas including the area of Coolock-Darndale. In developing these initiatives the health board has had discussions with representatives of community and resident interests in a number of locations, with a view to making a range of local based facilities available.
Following extensive consultation with community and resident interests the board proposes to further develop its drug treatment service in the general Coolock area. The service will be for the residents of the Darndale, Belcamp, Moatview areas. It is proposed that the drug services which will be available in the centre will include treatment and counselling and will complement the outreach services already in place. The outreach services currently provide prevention and education programmes to these areas. Community addiction counselling services are also available in the community care area. Services provided include: individual support and counselling, supply of information to local groups and community work.
It is proposed that the new services provided in the area will link up with other voluntary and statutory services in order to provide appropriate rehabilitation. Staff from the Eastern Health Board met with local interested groups in November and following this the board identified a premises where drug services could be located. The board has the agreement of the owner of the property provided it has the general acceptance of the community. The board is in discussion with the various groups with a view to providing services in this location or any other suitable premises in the area. Once a premises has been agreed the board will immediately put in place the appropriate services. Further expansion of services is planned in the area in 1997 in co-operation with local community groups.
