Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Ó Caoláin for his kind words. The Deputy will be aware that I have recently been given responsibility for the national drugs strategy, which aims to tackle the harm caused to individuals and society through the misuse of drugs. I am keenly aware from my own work at community level that the drugs problem is a complex and challenging issue that has far-reaching consequences for problem drug users, their families and the wider community and society.

The Oversight Forum on Drugs, which I chair, is responsible for the high level monitoring of the implementation of the strategy across key Departments and agencies. I intend to convene a meeting of the forum in July to receive an update from all the stakeholders on their progress in delivering on the objectives of the current strategy.

In regard to the Deputy's question, the HSE currently provides a range of addiction services in the Cavan and Monaghan region to support people experiencing problems with drugs and alcohol, including a full-time primary counsellor. I am informed that Cavan and Monaghan Drug Awareness Trust, a key project supported by the north-east regional drug and alcohol task force, receives €213,000 in annual funding from the HSE to provide a range of addiction services in the region. These services include the provision of prevention and education initiatives and treatment and rehabilitation programmes. The trust is also responsible for the co-ordination of the methadone maintenance programme in the region. The north east regional drug and alcohol task force also plays an important role in the delivery of measures under the national drugs strategy, including in the Cavan and Monaghan region, such that there is a targeted response to the drug problem.

In addition, the HSE provides over €93,000 on an annual basis to Cuan Mhuire Teoranta, Ballybay, to deliver a transition residential programme and community counselling to people suffering with addictions, their families and others affected by addiction. This service also facilitates weekly meetings of mutual aid and aftercare support groups.

I am advised that HSE community health care organisation area 1 is undertaking a review of existing drug and alcohol services in Cavan and Monaghan. The outcome of the review will inform the future addiction service needed in the Cavan-Monaghan region including the need for any additional staff.

One of my main priorities this year is the development of a new national drug strategy, which will take effect from January 2017 when the current strategy expires. This process is being overseen by a steering committee, chaired by John Carr, the former general secretary of the Irish National Teachers Organisation, INTO. The development of the new strategy will provide an opportunity to have a constructive and wide-ranging public dialogue on the approach to drug use. The outcomes will also have a bearing on the kind of services and initiatives that we need to put in place to tackle the drug problem effectively, including in counties Cavan and Monaghan.

I acknowledge the work Deputy Ó Caoláin has done. As I complete the first two weeks of my time as Minister of State I pledge that I will consider all the things he has said and bring them to the relevant agencies. During the whole process we may be able to consider this again because drug addiction services should not be based in Dublin alone. They should be throughout the country. There is a need in Monaghan and other counties to be more effective in supporting and dealing with those who have drug addiction problems.

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