Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 November 2008
136 Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when he will publish the report on his Department’s examination of the Drug Treatment Court; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42093/08]
View answerThe Drug Treatment Court, which originally operated on a pilot basis in the North inner city of Dublin, has been placed on a permanent footing and extended to the Dublin 7 area. The Court uses a multi-disciplinary approach and involves a range of Government Departments and agencies charged with dealing with various aspects of the problem of drug misuse. The Court operates with the assistance of a team which includes the judge, a probation and welfare officer, an addiction nurse, a Garda liaison officer and education/training representative and counsellors.
My Department is currently examining the operation of the court and officials are looking at best practice elsewhere to see how the Court's rather low throughput levels might be increased. It is intended to conclude this examination as soon as possible.
