Question:
92 Mr. Coveney asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when the promised drug courts will be sitting. [25840/00]
Other Questions. - Drug Courts.
The 1997 programme for Government included, in the context of measures to combat the drugs problem, the creation of a drug courts system which would involve court supervised treatment programmes for less serious drug related offences. In accordance with this commitment, I requested the working group on a courts commission, chaired by Mrs. Justice Susan Denham, to consider the establishment of a drug courts system in Ireland.
On 25 September 1998, I announced that the Government had approved the publication of the fifth report of the working group on a courts commission – Drug Courts – which sets out details and experiences of drug courts in the USA and other European jurisdictions. I also announced that the Government had approved the establishment of a drug courts planning committee to prepare plans for the establishment of a drug courts pilot project in the District Court.
I established the drug courts planning committee in February 1999 to develop an integrated cross-service strategic plan involving court supervised treatment programmes as an alternative to custodial sentences on the basis of the reallocation of resources, both budgetary and staffing, from other programmes, including programmes in the criminal justice area.
The planning committee reported to me and its recommendations include: the commencement of a pilot project in Dublin's north inner city to run for a period of 18 months; the availability of the pilot project, on a voluntary basis, to persons aged 17 years or over who have pleaded guilty or have been found guilty of a drug or drug related offence that would ordinarily warrant imprison ment; the provision of services, from which a rehabilitation programme capable of being tailored to meet the individual needs of each offender, will be primarily provided by the Eastern Regional Health Authority, the probation and welfare service, FÁS, and the Department of Education and Science with further services sought from other agencies as and when necessary and the availability of these services on a dedicated basis under the auspices and control of the drug court.
In April 2000, following careful consideration of the report in my Department, I forwarded the report of the planning committee to the Courts Service for implementation and I understand that the steering committee, which was established by the Courts Service to organise and monitor a pilot drug court in Dublin, plans that the first sitting of the drug court will be held on 9 January next.
The pilot programme marks a major policy initiative in the criminal justice system and is designed as an alternative measure for dealing with less serious and non-violent drug offenders. I look forward to assessing the results of the pilot project in due course.
Mr. Coveney
I am glad the Minister agrees with me that certain forms of drug related crime require separate and different treatment in the courts system from what one might describe as "conventional" forms of crime. I have been a Member of this House for two years and since my arrival, I have listened to discussions on the fact that a drugs court pilot project was in the offing. The project is not yet up and running and will not be until 9 January. What has caused the delay? We are reminded on a weekly basis of the drugs problem in Dublin—
The Deputy should put a question to the Minister.
Mr. Coveney
Why has the Minister limited the pilot project to Dublin as the drugs issue in Dublin is very different from that in the rest of the country and should, therefore, be treated differently?
The Deputy's time has expired.
Mr. Coveney
Will the Minister consider establishing a second pilot project outside the capital to treat the specific problem of drugs outside Dublin as the difference between dealing with problems occasioned by hard drug and soft drug problems is huge?
The Minister is soft on this issue.
What percentage of crime in Ireland is drug related?
The proposal for the introduction of a drugs court was included in the programme for Government and I do not accept that there has been an undue delay in the implementation of the pilot project although I wish it had progressed more quickly. Last Monday, the steering committee established by the Courts Service to plan the implementation of the pilot drug court confirmed that the project will commence on 9 January 2001. This issue went before the working group on the courts commission which specifically requested the establishment of a planning committee in order that this project could be undertaken properly. The working group was very anxious that the requisite resources would be provided and that there would be proper co-ordination between various Departments.
When I received the report of the planning committee, I forwarded it to the Chief Justice in his capacity as chairman of the Courts Service Board and requested that the drugs court pilot project be implemented. I understand the matter was brought before the Courts Service Board on 13 June 2000 as a result of which a steering committee was established which held its inaugural meeting on 11 July. The first drugs court will be established on 9 January in Dublin's north inner-city. I will certainly consider the extension of the project to other areas of need and will give specific and favourable consideration to Cork.
I welcome the Minister's announcement that the drugs court pilot project will commence in the north inner city on 9 January. Will the Minister detail the additional resources, services, treatment facilities and staff resources which have been put in place or are envisaged to provide for those people who will appear before the drugs court, given that increasing numbers of people are on waiting lists for detoxification and treatment services in that area and throughout Dublin? There is a perception that it may be necessary, in future, for people to be convicted in the drugs court before receiving treatment. Will the Minister allay those fears and assure the House that treatment will be provided for those currently on waiting lists, in addition to those who appear before the drugs court?
The Deputy will be aware that my remit is in the criminal justice area. The drugs court planning committee was established to develop an integrated cross-service strategic plan involving court supervised treatment programmes as an alternative to custodial sentences on the basis of the reallocation of resources, budgetary and staffing, from other programmes, including programmes in the criminal justice area. I assure the Deputy that this programme will be comprehensive. I am satisfied that when it is up and running, it will be successful.
In reply to Deputy Belton's earlier question, I cannot outline a precise figure on drug related crime in Ireland but I am informed that it represents a very significant proportion of our crime figures.