Ms Grace Hill:

I really appreciate what Deputy Durkan said. It emphasises the need for any funding, albeit limited, to be targeted at areas that experience a high concentration of these issues. As he said, they do not affect every area in the same way, and we need to recognise that. The population model and drug programme unit that has been proposed go some way to acknowledging that but I look forward to it being implemented. It has been talked about for a number of years. It would help us strike a balance relating to population and need.

To respond to Deputy Gould, I appreciate his understanding that the proposed budget of €6 million is completely inadequate to address the issues. In fact, we have it on good authority that €4 million comprises unspent funds from the proposed injection centres, which makes the investment even more pitiful. It is an insult, if our guests do not mind me saying that. I appreciate the Deputy's understanding of our frustrations today.