Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The Minister is correct when he refers to small amounts of money. What we need, given the crisis we face with drug addiction, is not the proposition that we add to the already chaotic situation additional areas of responsibility, such as alcohol or cannabis. We need to properly resource the area, if we are to take on board these other critical areas and not add to the impossible situation with which the current cohort of counsellors and those working with the services have to cope.

Before the Ceann Comhairle clips me once again with the clock, I would like to highlight the situation of women, in particular, and the fact that there has been a 13% drop in the number of women on special community employment schemes following the adoption of measures in a number of social protection Bills. These are being highlighted as responsible for the withdrawal of a significant number of women from drug rehabilitation services. I ask the Minister to comment on that, as well as the fact that the Government has failed to fill the 1,000 ring-fenced places for drug rehabilitation participants.

My final point is that despite three additional posts being offered we cannot get away from the fact that the Minister also confirmed that they have not been filled. No positions have been filled in this area over the past 12 months, something which needs to be addressed. It is not good enough to report that posts have not been filled. We need to proactively seek to recruit the additional supports that are absolutely necessary.

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