Mr. Aubrey McCarthy:

Deputy Coppinger asked about the faith-based aspect of Tiglin. Recently, I had to go to the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital. As I went in the entrance, I saw a marble plaque. The plaque states that the Sisters of Mercy carry on the business following in the way of Jesus Christ and so on. However, they are absolutely professional in every aspect of what they do. Tiglin has a faith-based ethos but we have bereavement councillors and our medical governance is overseen by Dr. John Latham, who was employed by the Government in the implementation of the methadone programme.

I have seen addiction in my family and that is what got me motivated. I do not care about anyone's background or his or her religion. If I see a person falling on the street, my motivation is to pick that person up. The Tiglin centre has a strict 14-module programme. Mr. Murphy can talk about the details. Attitudes are covered in one module. An individual's personal responsibilities and rights are covered in another. Growing through failure is another again. It is basically a holistic approach.

They do mindfulness and have art therapists. IT Carlow is doing a programme so that everybody who comes through Tiglin is coming out with an education. If Deputy Coppinger comes in, for example, when she leaves in a year's time and people ask her where she was for the last year, at least she will have paperwork to show. Atheist, Protestant, Catholic, whatever religion someone is, he or she is very welcome to join our programme. Mr. Murphy can tell the committee about the ins and outs of the programme.

The Dublin BID - I do not know what it stands for - was mentioned.