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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 25 Jun 2003

Vol. 569 No. 4

Written Answers. - National Drugs Strategy.

Billy Timmins

Question:

138 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the additional services and new programmes he intends to introduce to assist homeless opiate users. [217856/03]

As the Deputy is aware, my Department has overall responsibility for co-ordinating the implementation of the National Drugs Strategy 2001-2008.

My Department also has responsibility for the work of the 14 local drugs task forces, LDTFs, which were established in 1997 in the areas experiencing the highest levels of drug misuse. The LDTFs develop local action plans, based on their identified priorities, which are funded from my Department. In total, the Government has allocated or spent over €65 million to implement in the region of 500 projects contained in the plans of the task forces since 1997.

In this context, a number of the LDTFs have identified services specifically for homeless drug users – in particular outreach teams and drop-in centres. However, it should be noted that the bulk of services for homeless drug users are either funded through the local authorities and the health boards and significant funding has been provided in this regard.

The Deputy is aware that my colleague the Minister for Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Cullen, has responsibility for the implementation of the Government's homeless strategy, Homelessness – an Integrated Strategy. The strategy recognises the link between drug use and homelessness and the need to provide additional and improved services for homeless drug users. As part of the strategy, local action plans to tackle homelessness have been developed by local authorities, in consultation with the health boards and voluntary bodies. Many of these plans, particularly in urban areas, recognise the need to provide services aimed at homeless drug users, such as low threshold hos tels and outreach services aimed at rough sleepers.
In terms of services being provided, it should be noted that a hostel for young drug users opened in late 2001. This facility is operated by the De Paul Trust and will receive funding of just under €670,000 this year from the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, through Dublin City Council; that Department also funds the Fáiltiú Resource Centre in Merchant's Quay, again aimed at homeless people, a significant number of whom would be drug users. I understand that the allocation in 2003 is €859,950 while Fáiltiú received funding of over €677,000 last year; the health boards of the Eastern Regional Health Authority also provide outreach services for homeless drug misusers. Outreach workers make contact with drug users not currently accessing services, advising them on services available, providing them with information on safer injecting and safer sex practices. Needle exchange services are also provided; funding is also provided to voluntary organisations, such as Merchants Quay, who are also involved in the delivery of services for homeless drug users. In this respect, I understand that Merchants Quay have been allocated over €1.08 million in 2003 under section 65 of the Health Act 1953 and a further €116,000 for projects mainstreamed through the local drugs task forces by the South-Western Area Health Board; and Merchants Quay is also supported by FÁS who have 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.
Finally, it should be noted that the drug treatment centre at Trinity Court, Pearse Street, also operates a young persons' programme for young drug misusers, many of whom are homeless. The programme adopts a holistic approach that addresses their physical, psychological, emotional and social needs and is tailored to meet individual needs.
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