Tony Gregory
Ceist:44 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Health if he is satisfied that there is no threat to the future of St. Dympna's Alcoholic Unit, Dublin 7; and if he will make a statment on the matter.
Written Answers. - Dublin Alcoholism Treatment Unit.
Tony Gregory
Ceist:127 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the very popular and successful nighttime after care programme at St. Dympna's Alcoholic Centre, North Circular Road, Dublin 7; if he is concerned that the only available alcoholic counsellor/therapist may be withdrawn and the programme terminated; if he will make representations to the Eastern Health Board in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 44 and 127 together.
In line with the recommendations contained in Planning for the Future, the Eastern Health Board is at present developing a community based alcoholism treatment programme with a number of treatment facilities based at strategic locations in the board's functional area. The emphasis in the programme will be on detoxification and treatment of alcoholism and will include after care programmes outside normal working hours. Some redeployment of counselling staff may be necessary as a result of this programme. I have been informed by the Eastern Health Board that it is intended to have a number of residential places available as an integral part of this programme and that the operation of St. Dympna's Alcoholic Unit is being reviewed by the board in the context of these developments.