Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)

The regional drugs task forces are collating all such information in conjunction with the HSE. Many of the programmes to be rolled out will be operated in co-operation with rural general practitioners and community pharmacists. As for other schemes, issues pertaining to education and accommodation, as well as wider issues, must be addressed. Some parts of the country have less satisfactory cover than elsewhere. I visited the Kildare area in the past week or two and was impressed by what I found there. I also visited projects in counties Kerry and Cork within the southern regional drugs task force area a couple of weeks ago and was highly impressed. I will visit the Cavan and Meath areas tomorrow to examine several projects there. The Department works closely with the regional drugs task forces to ensure the provision of as comprehensive a service as possible. I am under no illusions that it will take a great deal more time and a good deal more investment before what I would consider to be an entirely coherent service will be in place nationwide.

See this speech in context