Richard Bruton
Question:139 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of cases handled by the drug courts; the estimated cost of direct work and of associated support programmes. [3044/02]
Written Answers. - Drug Courts.
The 1997 programme for Government included, in the context of measures to combat the drugs problem, a recommendation for the creation of a drug court system which would involve court supervised treatment programmes for less serious drug related offences.
The pilot drug court programme was launched in the Dublin District Court on 9 January 2001 and will run for 18 months. The first sitting took place on 16 January 2001. As of 31 December 2001, 54 persons have been referred to the drug court from the Dublin District Court. The pilot programme is being evaluated by expert consultants who were appointed following a public procurement process. They will produce a report in relation to statistics and costs at the end of the 18 month period which they will present to the pilot drug court steering committee. This committee will report back to me in relation to this matter. I cannot give the Deputy any further details until then. The merit of implementing a drug court programme outside Dublin will be considered following the completion and evaluation of the pilot project in Dublin.