Pat Rabbitte
Question:379 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will agree to lift the cap on the number of clients that may be accommodated on the methadone substitution treatment programme (details supplied). [8703/02]
Written Answers. - Drug Treatment Services.
The provision of drug treatment services is the statutory responsibility of the health boards. However, I have been informed by the Eastern Regional Health Authority that the treatment list for drug abusers in the Tallaght area is held at the drug treatment centre at 515 Main Street, Tallaght. Drug treatment services in Tallaght are provided at Millbrook Lawns at the mobile bus which is situated in the grounds of Tallaght Hospital through services provided by level one and level two general practitioners and through the addiction centre in Jobstown and a number of community pharmacies. Services are also provided at satellite clinics at Brookfield, St. Aengus, Jobstown, Fettercairn and Killinarden. The numbers attending these satellite clinics and with general practitioners is limited by the number of community pharmacy places available. The South Western Area Health Board continues to engage with local pharmacists to encourage more pharmacists to become involved in the methadone protocol or to take on more patients.
The SWAHB had proposed that Killinarden health centre would provide the services of an addiction centre and dispense methadone on site. However, I have been informed that the management of the programme referred to by the Deputy was unable to support this proposal. Capital funding has been approved for the development of a permanent building for the project referred to by the Deputy. This new building will have the capacity to allow for the dispensing of methadone. The SWAHB is currently in discussion with the management of the programme referred to by the Deputy in relation to the location and other aspects of this new building. I am confident that once opened, this centre will greatly improve the situation for drug abusers in the Tallaght area.