Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I reiterate that it is my full intention, as Minister of State with responsibility for this area, to do all I can to ensure we can achieve the restoration of these essential addiction treatment services in Dublin. We all have compassion; it is not only the preserve of one party. Every Deputy, Minister and Senator in the Oireachtas and people across the country have compassion and we are working extremely hard. People in my area of the north west have come to me with addiction problems related to alcohol, drugs and gambling and I have fully understood. That is why we are working in the Department to get a resolution to this complex and difficult situation. I can advise the House that the drugs policy unit in my Department is currently actively working on developing safe solutions to help us achieve this outcome. We want safe solutions. I have asked the unit to make contact with the HSE and event organisers, such as AA and SMART Recovery.

These efforts will be supported by the work which is under way. For example, the Department of Health is already in the process of developing a framework for the restoration of drug and alcohol services. It has set up a working group involving a drug and alcohol task force and voluntary drug and alcohol service providers. To support the resumption of drug and alcohol services nationwide, I have also approved the provision of funding for adaptation of services, including premises, online meetings and personal protective equipment. It is my hope that the work already under way will help ensure this specific issue in Dublin under level 3 restrictions can be resolved quickly.

I appreciate the Deputy's concern. We want to get these meetings open as quickly as possible, but they must be done in as safe a way as possible. I hope we will have a more constructive answer in the next few days and get these meetings up and running, because that is what we all want.

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