Vol. 505 No. 6
169 Mr. Power asked the Minister for Health and Children if it is the policy of the Eastern Health Board to house individuals on drug rehabilitation programmes outside the health board region; the towns in which this accommodation is provided; the cost to the board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14522/99]
The provision of drug treatment services for the eastern region is the statutory responisibility of the Eastern Health Board in the first instance. However, I understand from the board that its policy in relation to drug treatment is to cater for clients with drug addiction problems within its region to the maximum extent possible. If, however suitable programmes are available outside their region and a consultant psychiatrist recommends this treatment as the most beneficial for a patient, consideration on an individual basis is given to funding such treatment.
The Eastern Health Board has developed a comprehensive range of services for drug addiction in its own region. These consist of addiction centres, satellite clinics, detoxification programmes both in-patient and out-patient. Some rehabilitation services are provided directly by the board and grants are also provided to voluntary organisations to provide similar services. It is the board's priority to develop further rehabilitation services in 1999. During this period the Eastern Health Board will spend over £400,000 on establishing additional rehabilitation projects.
The board also funds programmes outside its region, for instance, the Cavan Centre, an activity centre for young children at risk in the north inner city received funding of £90,000. This year the board is providing a grant to the Merchant's Quay Project for its rehabilitation programme in the Tullow Centre in Carlow. The amount of this funding is being finalised by the board.
