I propose to take Questions Nos. 221 to 227, inclusive, together.
The HSE provides opioid substitution (mainly methadone) in a number of treatment settings to meet the needs of individual drug users. These settings include:
- primary care through GPs and community pharmacies;
- satellite clinics that facilitate opioid substitution provision through community pharmacies;
- treatment centres where opioid substitution treatment is dispensed on site; and
- residential rehabilitation facilities.
There were 9,615 patients receiving opioid substitution treatment as at the end of January 2014 according to the National Drug Treatment Centre Central Treatment List. The Central Treatment List indicates that the number of patients in receipt of opioid substitution treatment between 2011 and 2013 was as follows:
- 2011 - 9,251
- 2012 - 9,419
- 2013 - 9,652
The other information requested by the Deputy is not readily available to my Department. I have therefore asked the Health Service Executive to compile the information requested by the Deputy and to reply to him directly.