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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 21 Oct 1997

Vol. 481 No. 7

Written Answers. - Drug Court.

Question:

241 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the progress, if any, made towards the establishment of the drug court system as outlined in An Action Programme for the Millennium; whether the proposed court will be additional to existing District Court facilities; whether the court supervised treatment programmes will be additional to the existing services supplied by the health boards and voluntary agencies; the discussions, if any, he has entered into with the Department of Finance about the additional resources involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17069/97]

John O'Donoghue

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

Among the initiatives outlined in the Programme for Government to combat the drugs problem is a commitment to create a drug court system involving court supervised treatment programmes as an alternative to criminal prosecution for less serious drug-related offences. The establishment of a drug court system is a key priority in the overall strategy for dealing with drugs and drug related crime.

Shortly after taking office, I requested the working group on a courts commission, which was established to review the operation of the courts, to examine this matter and report to me as soon as possible. As soon as I receive their report it will be given immediate attention. The question of the treatment programmes and other resources which may be required for the operation of a drug court system are also being assessed as part of the overall examination of the matter.

I can inform the Deputy that I would not be in a position to discuss the resource implications of the proposal, if any, with the Minister for Finance until such time as I have received and considered a report on the matter. Any proposals which I will be bringing forward in this area will be brought before the Government in the usual way.

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