Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 July 2012
531 Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if it will be possible to extend the operation of the drug treatment court programme to the Clondalkin and Lucan area in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34695/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra541 Deputy Jonathan O’Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the resources allocated to the drugs court; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34832/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra599 Deputy John Lyons asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide an update in relation to the review of the drugs treatment courts; when the review will become available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35197/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 531, 541 and 599 together.
In February 2012, I requested the Support and Advisory Committee for the Drug Treatment Court to undertake a detailed evaluation of the court's operation and potential and I expect the Committee will furnish a report to me in the autumn. The Committee was established following a recommendation in the 2010 Report on the operation of the Court and comprises representatives of each of the agencies involved with the Court.
The Committee has met regularly to progress and monitor the programme's throughput and effectiveness and oversaw the expansion with effect from July 2011 of the catchment area served by the Drug Treatment Court. The Court is now in a position to deal with offenders from a much wider area including offenders who are resident in all areas of Dublin city north of the river Liffey and to offenders receiving treatment in the Castle Street Drug Treatment Centre which provides services to people residing in Dublin 2, 4, 6 and 8. This welcome initiative was undertaken with cooperation from the Health Services Executive in the provision of vital testing and treatment support services. An evaluation of the potential for further expansion of the programme forms part of the ongoing review. Therefore no decisions will be taken regarding further expansion until the report currently being prepared has been considered in full.
