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Drug Treatment Programmes

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 July 2012

Thursday, 19 July 2012

Questions (616)

Niall Collins

Question:

623 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he has had any discussions with the Department of Health regarding recommendations made in the recent Better City for All report which found that the clustering of drug treatment centres in Dublin city centre was contributing to antisocial behaviour; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36808/12]

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Written answers

I can inform the Deputy that I am familiar with the Better City for All Report.

I am aware that the Report highlights the clustering of treatment services in the inner city and makes a number of recommendations which are aimed at minimising any negative impact of such clustering on the city centre.

The Report also acknowledges that treatment services are a major part of the solution to the issues being addressed and that the problems would be worse in their absence.

While the issue of the location of drug treatment centres is primarily a matter for my colleague Róisín Shortall T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Health and the Health Service Executive (HSE), I can inform the Deputy that I am in regular engagement with all of the relevant stakeholders in addressing concerns in relation to anti-social behaviour in the city centre.

In particular, I would highlight the recent work undertaken with the outgoing Lord Mayor's commission on anti social behaviour. In addition, along with my Government colleagues, I am working on the development of effective responses to the problems of alcohol and drug abuse which is the root of much of violent street crime. In that context, I have had particular engagement with Minister of State Shortall on issues of mutual concern.

I also met recently with members of Dublin City Business Improvement District to discuss their concerns about antisocial behaviour in the city.

I should also mention that this week I also met with the Garda Commissioner, as part of my regular meetings with him, to further discuss these issues.

I would like to assure the Deputy that I will continue to engage with all of the relevant stakeholder so as to ensure that we tackle anti-social behaviour, and its underlying causes, in as comprehensive a manner possible.

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