Vol. 497 No. 2
234 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Health and Children if non-residential detoxification treatment will be provided for a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24487/98]
I have made inquiries about this case from the Eastern Health Board, which is responsible for the provision of services to drug misusers in the Dublin area. The individual in question has been seen by the health board and was placed on a waiting list for non-residential treatment on 22 October. Appropriate treatment will be provided as soon as possible and the health board will be in contact directly with the individual in this regard.
The Deputy will be aware of the difficulties being experienced by the Eastern Health Board in establishing a treatment centre in the Dublin 12 area. The provision of such a facility in this area in addition to those proposed for other areas of the city would go a long way towards reducing the waiting lists for treatment. I would appeal, therefore, to local communities as well as to the public representatives to co-operate with the board in its efforts to provide treatment for people in their own locality.
