asked the Minister for Health if a decision has been made on the provision of a new city centre premises for the national drugs advisory and treatment centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Drugs Treatment Centre.
12.
The Deputy, I am sure, is familiar with the recently published recommendations of the Special Governmental Task Force on Drug Abuse. The task force recommended that a new purpose-built walk-in facility be provided for drug abusers on the Jervis Street site when the general hospital transfers to Beaumont. The new hospital at Beaumont is scheduled to open in July 1985. In the meantime my Department will be discussing with the hospital authorities the question of the disposal of a greater part of the existing hospital site and the provision of a purpose-built out-patient drug centre.
Has the Minister entered into negotiations with the governors of Jervis Street Hospital for the purchase of the site?
Only yesterday afternoon I had discussions with the chairman, vice-chairman and other representatives of Jervis Street to discuss this particular issue. I can assure the Deputy that I will be having very detailed discussions with the Jervis Street authorities and with the other authorities in Dublin on this issue. It may be that for the north city area Jervis Street would provide the services and another hospital south of the Liffey would provide a similar facility. I envisage on the Jervis Street side a walk-in inner city treatment centre for the inner city and northern suburbs of Dublin.
Is the Minister satisfied that he will have a purpose built unit on that site at the time of the transfer to Beaumont Hospital?
That is the intention and discussions are taking place between officers of my Department and another major hospital unit in Dublin to have not just one unit on the north side but to have one also on the south side. They would divide the city between them. That is our broad policy intention. We are working quite strenuously towards that end and I have been seeking additional resources from the Government to enable this to be done. I am reasonably confident this will come into operation in 1984-85.
The remaining questions will appear on the Order Paper for Tuesday, 29 November 1983.
I would like to raise on the adjournment the exorbitant overcharging for telephone services by the Department of Posts and Telegraphs.
I will communicate with the Deputy.