Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 March 2021
1393. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the status of the investigation by the Minister for State with responsibility for the national drugs strategy into the possibility of abolishing assessment fees for rehabilitation treatment. [14111/21]
View answerUnder the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. This includes the provision of addiction services.
In the HSE national service plan 2021, additional resources are provided for the provision of residential treatment programmes.
Treatment episodes purchased by the HSE include the full continuum of service and are free of charge. The HSE has advised that Tier 4 services generally waive or reduce the fee if a service user finds it difficult financially.
An assessment fee is charged by some service providers to cover service costs in conducting the assessment. However, not all clients are offered a treatment place as they may not be suitable for treatment.
The HSE has suggested that rather than addiction assessment fees being abolished, they could be applied based on an individual’s ability to pay basis, and necessary adjustments made depending on financial circumstances.
It is important that the views of organisations who charge fees are also taken into consideration. Accordingly, officials in the Department of Health will consult with voluntary drug and alcohol service providers on this matter in the coming weeks.
I am of the view that no person should be denied access to drug and alcohol services because of financial factors.
