Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 4 Nov 1998

Vol. 496 No. 1

Written Answers. - Drug Treatment Services.

Frances Fitzgerald

Question:

171 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Health and Children the numbers of drug addicts attending local health clinics in Ringsend, Irish-town and Rathmines to receive methadone treatment; and if he has satisfied himself that the facilities in these clinics are suitable for this treatment. [22013/98]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

The Eastern Health Board in its service plan for 1998 identified Ringsend/Irishtown and Rathmines as areas requiring drug treatment facilities to cater for drug misusers from these areas who were in need of treatment. A service commenced in Rathmines Health Centre on 15 October 1998. This clinic will take up to 20 patients when fully operational. A service in Ringsend/Irishtown has not commenced to date. It is planned to provide a service in the Ringsend health centre in the near future where the anticipated numbers attending would be in the region of 20.

The Deputy will be aware of the difficulties encountered by the health board in its attempts to expand the range of treatment facilities to meet the needs of drug misusers. The board was required, arising from the full implementation of the methadone protocol, to put in place certain emergency measures, including the provision of services at certain health centres, to meet the demand for such services. I appreciate that this has caused unease in some local communities. I can appreciate the apprehension which some communities may feel but I would appeal for support for the board's efforts to respond to this serious social problem. I fully support the board's approach and I believe that the provision of these facilities for drug misusers in their own localities will have a positive effect in the longer term.