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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 27 May 2003

Vol. 567 No. 5

Written Answers. - Irish Language.

Michael D. Higgins

Question:

98 D'fhiafraigh Mr. M. Higgins den Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta cén dul chun cinn atá déanta ag Foras na Gaeilge maidir leis an bhfoclóir nua-aoiseach údarásach Gaeilge; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina leith. [14401/03]

Mar is eol don Teachta, tá mórthionscadal foclóir Béarla-Gaeilge idir lámha ag Foras na Gaeilge faoi láthair. Tuigtear dom go bhfuil téacs an dréacht-chonartha i gcomhair céim 1 de thionscadal an fhoclóra Béarla-Gaeilge á bheachtú ag dlíodóirí Fhoras na Gaeilge faoi láthair agus é i ndáil le bheith críochnaithe. Tuigtear dom go bhfuiltear ag súil go mbeidh an conradh sínithe i mí an Mheithimh agus obair an fhoclóra féin tosaithe faoi lár an tsamhraidh.

Bainfidh an chéad chéim seo le dearadh teicniúil an fhoclóra, leis an gcóras ríomhaireachta a úsáidfear agus é á chur le chéile, le roghnú na gceannfhocal, leis na córais fhiosraithe corpais agus mar sin de.

Eamon Ryan

Question:

99 Mr. Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his Department's views on the recent report of the Merchant's Quay Project, Dublin, which stated that there are now approximately 15,000 heroin users to be found in out nation's capital; and his views on whether this represents a success for the Government's National Drug Strategy. [14426/03]

Joe Costello

Question:

141 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the report of the Merchants Quay Project showing a major increase in the number of heroin users attending the centre and its estimate that there were up to 30,000 heroin users in Dublin; the steps being taken to deal with this increase in the context of the National Drugs Strategy; the funding his Department provides for the Merchants Quay Project; if he has plans to increase the funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14374/03]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 99 and 141 together.

The National Advisory Committee on Drugs, for which my Department has responsibility, recently published a study on the prevalence of opiate misuse in Ireland. The estimate is based on statistics provided by three data sources for 2001 – the central drug treatment list, the national Garda study on drugs,crime and related activity and the hospital in-patient inquiry database.

This is the first formal estimate of the number of opiate users since the 1996 study carried by Dr. Catherine Comiskey, which used the same methodology. However, it should be noted that the 1996 study estimated prevalence for Dublin only.

The latest study estimates that there were 14,452 people using opiates in Ireland in 2001. The estimated figure for Dublin is 12,456 compared to the 1996 figure of 13,461. The drop in prevalence figures in Dublin is encouraging and to be welcomed as is the much reduced numbers of users estimated to be in the 15 to 24 year old bracket which may point to a lower rate of initiation into heroin misuse.

Since 1996 the availability of treatment for opiate dependence has increased very significantly and this may be a factor in explaining the latest estimates. For example in relation to methadone, there were 1,350 places available on the central methadone treatment list at the start of 1996, whereas currently there are 6,600.

As I said at the time of the launch of the NACD study, while many of the studys findings are encouraging, we cannot afford any degree of complacency. The Government remains committed to working in partnership with communities most affected by drug misuse and the continued implementation of the national drug strategy remains a priority.
In relation to the Merchant's Quay, I am aware there were a number of media reports mentioning the figures raised by the Deputies. It is my understanding, however, that the Director of Merchant's Quay Ireland has since clarified that he was misquoted regarding the 30,000 figure and that he based his estimate on the Eastern Regional Health Authority figures which were, in turn, based on the 1996 Comiskey study.
As the Deputies are aware, Merchant's Quay Ireland works with homeless persons and drug misusers and I am very familiar with their valuable work and have visited their sites on number of occasions. The organisation provides an impressive array of services ranging from open access, crisis intervention, needle-exchange and health promotion services, to day-support programmes, educational programmes, vocational training and settlement support services.
In relation to funding, my Department has responsibility for the local drugs task forces through which Merchant's Quay has received funding in the past. A number of projects included in the first round of local drugs task force plans run by Merchant's Quay were positively evaluated and mainstreamed by relevant Departments and agencies who are now responsible for their continued and on-going funding.
Merchant's Quay currently receives funding from a number of statutory sources. Their main funding comes from the South-Western Area Health Board which has allocated more than €1.08 million to them in 2003 under Section 65 of the Health Act 1953 and a further €116,000 to projects mainstreamed through the local drugs task forces.
In addition, through Dublin City Council, the Department of the Environment and Local Government funds the Fáiltiú Resource Centre in Merchant's Quay. I understand the allocation in 2003 is €859,950 and that last year, Fáiltiú received funding of more than €677,000.
Merchant's Quay Ireland is also supported by FÁS which has enabled the development of a number of community employment projects and by CERT who have helped develop training opportunities in the tourism sector for homeless persons and drug misusers.
On further funding, I understand my colleague the Minister for Health and Children recently informed this House that there is regular communication and discussion between his Department and Merchant's Quay Ireland in relation to the services they provide. In this context, I understand that Merchant's Quay Ireland is at present considering a proposal from the South-Western Area Health Board regarding the provision of additional services relating to homelessness and addiction.
Question No. 100 answered with Question No. 93.
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