John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)

I agree with the Deputy that prevention is the key. I refer to those who are currently addicted and are looking for treatment. The figures referred to are for 2006 to 2007. It is a concern that during times of recession, the emergence of heroin use can pose a significant problem. I have had discussions with the HSE. It was decided in the past month to have additional clinical services up and running before the end of the first quarter of next year in parts of the country where services were poor or non-existent, for example in Wexford, Waterford, Cork, Limerick, Dundalk, Drogheda. In addition, it was decided that GPs would also assist. There must be a combined package, otherwise people will go to a clinic but will not have progression routes and this is not sufficient. In the southern part of the country, the HSE has committed to a number of additional detoxification beds, including counselling services, as not everyone requires an opiate substitute or methadone. An additional 10,000 counselling hours will be provided next year for up to 400 people who are addicted. These are tangible initiatives which are underway as we speak to deal with this issue.

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