Vol. 486 No. 1
561 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of people currently on the waiting list for methadone maintenance programmes in the Eastern Health Board area; the comparative figure in respect of 1997; if he will list the initiatives taken in Tallaght and Clondalkin to reduce waiting lists in those areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1428/98]
The Eastern Health Board has informed me from the most recent information — at 31 December 1997 — the number of addicts awaiting treatment in the board's area is 369. The corresponding number in 1996 was 560. However, the number of treatment places in 1997 increased from 1,861 to 2,776.
The Drug Treatment Centre in Pearse Street works a monthly appointment system whereby persons ringing for an appointment will be seen in the following four weeks. No waiting list is therefore kept at this centre.
The Eastern Health Board has made considerable progress in developing treatment services and reducing waiting lists across its area in 1997. In particular, in the Clondalkin and Tallaght areas the board in partnership with the local communities now provide satellite clinics in Killinarden, Brookfield, Fettercairn, St. Aengus and Jobstown in Tallaght and through Clondalkin Addiction Support Programme-CASP-in Clondalkin. The board has also commenced a satellite treatment service at Deansrath Health Centre in October 1997. In addition, the treatment programmes and emergency assessments run from the Aishling Clinic and Fortune House in Cherry Orchard are also available to the Clondalkin area and the inpatient detoxification programme in Cuan Dara takes referrals from both areas.
The board is also continuing to recruit additional general practitioners and pharmacies in these communities who are now providing local methadone treatment services. The board has indicated that as services have increased it has led to a raised awareness of drug treatment options available. Consequently, more clients are making contact with the network of services available. In 1998 the board's service plan provides for the provision of one addiction centre in Tallaght and one in Clondalkin as well as satellite clinics in Springfield and St. Dominic's.
