Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)

I concur with the Deputy. There is a need for joined-up thinking in order to ensure the different agencies work together. As stated, 1,000 places have been set aside for recovering drug addicts. These schemes have been incredibly important for people recovering from other forms of drug misuse such as alcohol misuse. We must ensure the most vulnerable in society obtain places on the schemes mentioned. One of the challenges to be faced by those who operate the schemes is that they may be tempted to pick the most able for them. I would be interested in hearing suggestions with regard to how we might ensure those who are most vulnerable obtain places, while also ensuring the schemes remain viable. The Deputy's question in this regard is very valid.

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